Sofia Mulanovich of Peru finished second yesterday in the Roxy Pro, earning her this year's world championship.
Mulanovich takes
world crown
For the first time in six years, there is a new women's surfing world champion.
Needing to place third or better to secure the 2004 world title going into the final yesterday of the 10th annual Roxy Pro at Haleiwa, Peru's Sofia Mulanovich took second and ended this year's race with one event left to go.
It was defending six-time world champ Layne Beachley (1998-2003) of Australia who actually won the Roxy Pro.
But it was Mulanovich who walked away with the bigger prize, becoming the first South American surfer -- male or female -- to win a world title.
"Only a couple of years ago, I didn't really know if I could do this," said the 21-year-old from Lima. "There's so many good surfers, and everybody's ripping. But this year has really helped me with my confidence. ... I'm really happy right now, really stoked."
Only participating for a second year on the women's World Championship Tour, Mulanovich broke through for her first big pro victory last year at the Roxy Pro.
The former Peruvian national champion followed by winning three WCT events in a row this year, and with yesterday's runner-up result, wrapped up the 2004 world title by mathematically eliminating world No. 2 Rochelle Ballard of Hawaii.
The significance back home was not lost on Mulanovich, a veritable rock star in Peru.
"I've done this for my country," Mulanovich said. "I think sometimes when you are from a Third World country, you think, 'Why should I even try?' But I think if you really want something, you will get it."
Making her first final of the year in the 6- to 12-foot-face waves with occasionally bigger sets, Beachley showed the mastery that allowed her to become the only surfer to win six world titles in a row.
With powerful carves and big lip hits, Beachley's top two waves in the 35-minute, four-woman final totaled 13.26 points (out of 20 maximum), almost four points better than Mulanovich (9.34). Australia's Chelsea Georgeson (8.60) placed third, while Brazil's Maria Tita Tavares (0.00) settled for fourth after not catching a single wave.
Beachley won $20,000, part of the biggest purse in women's surfing history.
She was also very gracious in passing her crown to Mulanovich.
"It's really special to be a part of the next world champion, and to physically be able to hand it over and see (Mulanovich) fight for it," Beachley, 32, said. "Out of all the girls on tour I think she's the most deserving champion ... She's worked hard and been hungrier than everyone else, but also been humble in her approach."
Notes: Brazil's Jacqueline Silva scored a perfect 10 in the Roxy Pro quarterfinals, after logging 3 full seconds in a 12-foot barrel before shooting out. ... The second round of the Vans Hawaiian Pro, the first jewel of the men's Triple Crown, was also completed yesterday at Haleiwa. Competition will likely resume today, with the final rounds for the event probable for tomorrow.
