Pico Alto Invitational 2009 -Results

Carlos Burle at final

It was finished, July 6th, the Billabong Pico Alto Invitatonal 2009, a traditional south american big wave surfing competition, that for the first time had international big wave riders in their list. At Pico Alto, Peru, four world’s top athletes (Carlos Burle, Greg Long, Mark Healey and Peter Mel) challenged two Peruvians in the final (Javier Swayne e Rafael Velarde).
Fifteen feet waves settled the perfect scenario for the final heat in Punta Hermosa. Greg Long stepped up early to the lead scoring a 8,50 and was not threatened by anyone until the end of the heat, summing a total of 23,50. Brazilian Carlos Burle did the opposite. He started slowly and was in the last place until the dying minutes when he surfed 7 point ride that pulled him straight up to second place, but needed a ride over 8 points to get to the lead, and ended in second place.
Peter Mel got the third place, summing 16,10, Mark Healey, that surfed only one wave, was fourth, with a total of 15 points. The Peruvian locals, Javier Swayne and Rafael Velarde, ended in the fifth and sixth place respectively, summing 14,05 and 13,35.
The Brazilian world champion showed once more that even being the most experienced athlete among the finalists, he has the attitude and is physically fitted to give the youngest a great challenge and to still end up in the top of big wave events, adding one more trophy in his victorious career.
During his speech on the podium, Burle remembered that his first international surf trip was to Peru, and has thanked many of the local guys that are his friends from years ago, as Magoo De La Rosa and his family. The Brazilian has also thanked the lifeguard team, specially LuisFer De La Torre, mentioning that the conditions were very hard in Pico Alto during the event.
Final standings of the 10th Billabong Pico Alto Invitational:

De la Rosa and the champions

1 – Greg Long (USA)
2 – Carlos Burle (BRA)
3 – Peter Mel (USA)
4 – Mark Healey (HAW)
5 – Javir Swayne (PER)
6 – Rafael Velarde (PER)

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