Form Guide Red Alert for the Billabong Pico Alto

In: Form Guide Press Release 10 Comments Wed 10th Aug '11

Tags: big wave world tour , pico alto , peru , Billabong

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Lima, August 8th 2011 - The 'go' button has been pushed and tomorrow - Thursday August 11th (local time) - the best big wave riders in the world will compete at the Billabong Pico Alto, the second event of the 2011 Big Wave World Tour (BWWT). Pico Alto is a famed big wave break off Punta Hermosa beach, about 43 km south of Lima.

Billabong Peru BWWT Tour Director Gary Linden and Surfline.com monitored the weather and made the final call. The conditions look optimal and the swell is expected to produce solid 30 foot face waves with some larger sets possible.

According to Linden: "With a long period swell on the way with great direction and light winds, Pico Alto will provide some excellent waves for this year's event. While not quite as big as last year, the quality looks to be better and we can expect a very high level of big wave performance surfing."

The best big wave surfers on the planet have begun arriving this week in Peru. Last year's winner and current Big Wave World Champ Jamie Sterling will defend his title against personalities like Greg Long (USA), former World Champ Carlos Burle (Brazil), XXL award winners Danilo Couto (Brazil) and Grant "Twiggy" Baker (South Africa), as well as locals legends like Alvaro Malpartida, Rafael Velarde, Gabriel Villarán, Sebastian de Romaña and more.

Australian Ben Wilkinson will reportedly be surfing in the event, while Jamie Mitchell is an alternate and will get into the event if he makes it to Peru.

The Billabong Pico Alto is one of the most intense waves of the Big Wave World Tour, giving athletes the opportunity to compete for $12,000 USD prize purse. The event will be webcast on www.billabong.com/sa/picoalto11

Billabong Pico Alto 2011 Invitees

Locals Invitees–
1) Gonzalo "Chendo" Velasco (Peru)
2) Rafael Velarde (Peru)
3) Sebastian de Romaña (Peru)
4) Javier Swayne (Peru)
5) Rafael Otero (Peru)
6) Jaime Venegas (Peru)

Event Invitees–
1) Alvaro Malpartida (Peru)
2) Grant "Twiggy" Baker (South Africa)
3) Ian Walsh (Hawaii)
4) Danilo Couto (Brazil)
5) Ramón Navarro (Chile)
6) Frank Solomon (USA)

2011/2012 BWWT Top 12-
1) Jamie Sterling (Hawaii)
2) Kohl Christensen (Hawaii)
3) Anthony Tashnick (USA)
4) Carlos Burle (Brazil)
5) Marcos Monteiro (Brazil)
6) Peter Mel (USA)
7) Chris Bertish (South Africa)
8) Cristian Merello (Chile)
9) Greg Long (USA)
10) Gabriel Villarán (Peru)
11) Mark Healey (Hawaii)
12) Kealii Mamala (Hawaii)

BWWT Ranking after Punta de Lobos (Chile)
1) Marcos Monteiro (Brazil)
2) Ramón Navarro (Chile)
3) Gabriel Villarán (Peru)

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