Form Guide Local Surfer Nilbie Blancada Wins Roxy Siargao International Women's Surfing Cup

In: Form Guide Press Release Fri 4th May '12
Tags:
1_nilbie_blancada_action-5550 click to enlarge
2_winner_n_runner_up-2425 click to enlarge
3_nilbie_wins-6222 click to enlarge
4_kim_final_action-6147 click to enlarge
5_nilbie_blancada-5374 click to enlarge
9_cloud_9-5952 click to enlarge
380739_444102745604363_216503395030967_1799642_1113239161_n click to enlarge
385725_444103205604317_216503395030967_1799649_68973771_n click to enlarge
530274_444103118937659_216503395030967_1799648_159887349_n click to enlarge
546063_444102812271023_216503395030967_1799643_820196948_n click to enlarge
561266_444102898937681_216503395030967_1799645_652951554_n click to enlarge
1_nilbie_blancada_action-5550 2_winner_n_runner_up-2425 3_nilbie_wins-6222 4_kim_final_action-6147 5_nilbie_blancada-5374 9_cloud_9-5952 380739_444102745604363_216503395030967_1799642_1113239161_n 385725_444103205604317_216503395030967_1799649_68973771_n 530274_444103118937659_216503395030967_1799648_159887349_n 546063_444102812271023_216503395030967_1799643_820196948_n 561266_444102898937681_216503395030967_1799645_652951554_n

3 May 2012, Siargao Island - Philippines: 19 year old Siargao local Nilbie Blancada took down Australian past world tour surfer Kim Wooldridge today in a tightly contested 30 minute final to the delight and cheers of the excited Filipino spectators gathered in the iconic Cloud 9 tower.

On the third day of the Roxy Siargao International Women's Surfing Cup that started on May 1st, held at the world class surf destination of Cloud 9 in the Philippines, Blancada first downed one of Australia's top Pro Junior surfers Philippa Anderson in the first semi-final before showing off skills and patience beyond her years to win her first ever surfing competition over Wooldridge and bring home a huge winner's check of $2,500 USD (PHP 120,000).

Blancada has only been surfing for four years and was an obvious standout throughout the entire competition, during the final patiently waiting out the back for the best-shaped waves and then putting together great combinations of maneuvers. Wooldridge was also impressive on her backhand, throwing up big turns and going deep trying to score a barrel ride, but failed to find the wave that would allow her the high score with to overtake Blancada.

"I'm so happy, so really happy" gushed the excited Blancada back in the tower surrounded by her admiring friends and spectators. "I was so nervous out there, as I've never really surfed with just one other surfer in the water. But it was good because I knew I just had to find the good waves. So that's what I tried to do."

When asked what she was going to do with her winnings, she replied, "I'm going to buy a motorbike! Then I'm going to share the other money with my family." Blancada comes from a family with 10 children, and says she learned to surf from her sister Nildie and brother Nickie.

Kim Wooldridge was smiling and happy as well, saying, "This was so much fun, much different that when I was competing on the world tour. Back then when I would put on the contest jersey I would feel the pressure and have to force myself to try and relax. Here it was so different, I was able to just go out there and have fun. I'm so happy for Nilbie, she has a great style and was ripping out there, and for her to win here is awesome!"

When Wooldridge heard that the event was happening again this year she immediately booked her ticket and began contacting the friends she made on her first trip her to the 2009 event. Her friend Daisy Valdez from the Northern Philippines wanted to come but was short of cash, so Wooldridge and 2009 event winner Serena Brook sent her the necessary funds so she could come and compete in the event. Valdez lost to Blancada in the quarterfinals, but at least receives $350 for her efforts.

An amazing event with great waves and an exciting finish, Roxy's Marketing Executive for SEA Holly Monkman was delighted and impressed with the event and the level of surfing displayed by the local girls, saying "The level of surfing I've seen in this event was by far the best I've seen in South East Asia, and given a more opportunities I would say that they would soon be competitive at the international level. It's rare to see such a unique and beautiful women's surfing community anywhere, let alone on a small island in Asia, and I can't wait to come back and surf here again next year."

A total of 21 women from Australia, England, Germany, Indonesia, Thailand, Switzerland, and the USA competed in the Roxy Siargao International Women's Surfing Cup from May 1-3, and the event was an absolute success according to the Primer Group of Companies Brand Manager for Roxy, Quiksilver and DC Shoes Dino Gilladoga.

"First off, we are really grateful to be part of this opportunity to help and support the women's surfing scene here in the Philippines," he said. "And we couldn't have done this without the support of the Department of Tourism, the House of Representatives, the Province of Surigao Del Norte, the Tourism Infrastructure, Enterprise Zone Authority, the Municipality of General Luna, the Philippine Surfing Federation and Asian Surfing Championships."

"We're really stoked how the event turned out considering we had less than two months to prepare. This whole trip to Siargao showed us that there is so much potential from our local girls with Nilbie Blancada winning against tough competition. We can't wait to come back and perhaps do something for Quiksilver next time" he added.

Roxy Siargao International Women's Surfing Cup Results:
1. Nilbie Blancada (Philippines) $2,500 USD (PHP 120,000)
2. Kim Wooldridge (Australia) $1,500 USD (PHP 60,000)
Equal 3rd: Manette Alcala (Philippines) $750 USD (PHP 30,000)
Philippa Anderson (Australia) $750 USD (PHP 30,000)

Loading Comments
Loading
  • Location Search
  • Website Search