PIEDRAS NEGRAS, Ilo, Moquegua / Peru (Friday, Jun, 07, 2013) – A full day of competition was held today on the long, barreling waves of the left hand point break at the ASP 3-Star Rip Curl Pro Piedras Negras Ilo Moquegua, in Peru. After having to wait out two consecutive lay days due to a heavy swell, the surfers resumed the competition on Friday with waves in the 5-7 foot range (1.5-2 meters), which included lengthy tube-rides at Piedras Negras.
Straight from the latest crop of young Brazilian talent, Yago Dora (BRA), 17, scored the day’s highest heat wave total by posting an 8.75 and an 8.25 for a total of 17 points (out of a possible 20) in his Round of 32 victory.
“For me it’s been a great experience to compete here in Ilo against so many high quality surfers,” said Yago Dora. “They push me to surf as hard as I can and it’s been helping out a lot in the beginning of my career. I’m stoked to make it into the Quarters Finals in these kinds of waves. They’re a little difficult to surf in a heat, but they are heavy and tubular…a lot of fun!”.
The crowd at Piedras Negras was happy to see Carlo Mario Zapata (PER), the only Peruvian surfer left in the competition, also make it into the final day of competition on Saturday. Zapata will face Thiago Guimaraes (BRA) in Heat 1 of the Quarterfinals.
“I’m so stoked to qualify into the Quarters in this contest and I’ve been trying to go all out in each heat because the level of competition is so high,” stated Carlo Zapata. “I’m very focused on getting to the Final and as a Peruvian, I’m honored to have the crowd cheering for me at one of the best spots in the country.”
Ricardo dos Santos (BRA), who has been making a name for himself at waves of consequence like Teahupoo and Pipeline, felt right at home in the barreling lefthanders of Piedras Negras. He will face Leandro Usuna (ARG) in Heat 4 of the Quarterfinals.
“I’m really excited to make it to the Quarters and it’s great to see so many groms here at the event,” said Ricardo dos Santos. “It’s nice to see a contest like this take place in a spot with great waves and where surfing really isn’t that well known. From one day to the next, Piedras Negras can become one of the most famous waves in Peru! It’s a great wave. It’s got power, some barrels and plenty of space for big turns. And what’s even better is that it’s not even that cold.”
David do Carmo (BRA), arrived at the ASP 3-Star Rip Curl Pro Piedras Negras and has been a standout since the first day of competition. He will face Marco Giorgi (URU) in Heat 2 of the Quarterfinals on Saturday.
“I’m stoked to be finding the right waves and being able to keep moving forward in the contest,” said David do Carmo. “The waves here in Ilo are incredible and the other athletes are all surfing at such a high level, you really can’t make any mistakes. I was using the same 6’2” that I was using at the Prime event in Saquarema, but today I opted to use my 5’11”. I felt a little looser and faster on this board. Today was a little difficult and you needed a bit of luck to catch the right wave to get good scores.”
QUARTERFINALS ASP 3-STAR RIP CURL PRO PIEDRAS NEGRAS ILO MOQUEGUA:
Heat 1: Carlo Mario Zapata (PER) vs Thiago Guimaraes (BRA) Heat 2: Marco Giorgi (URU) vs David do Carmo (BRA) Heat 3: Santiago Muniz (ARG) vs Yago Dora (BRA) Heat 4: Leandro Usuna (ARG) vs Ricardo dos Santos (BRA)
