Marcos Monteiro: viva Brazil

Marcos Monteiro has claimed victory at the 2011 Quiksilver Ceremonial Punta De Lobos Big Wave Invitational in Pichilemu, Chile. The Brazilian big wave surfer took $10,000 home and the first Big Wave World Tour event of the season.

The podium also included Ramon Navarro, a Punta de Lobos local who took second place, and Peru's Gabriel Villarán, who came in third.

All chargers enjoyed excellent surfing conditions.

South-by-southeast winds, cool, cloudy weather, and 30–36 foot waves with 40 foot set waves made the best contest conditions in three years.

"Viva Brazil! I've been coming to this event for a long time, and I always knew that if I continued to work hard that this day would eventually come," said Marcos Monteiro.

"I kept knocking on the door, and it was finally answered. There are three parts to success in this event. You need to be physically prepared, mentally prepared, and you have to have good equipment. Fortunately for me, it all came together today."

"We could not have asked for a better Quiksilver Ceremonial," said Gary Linden, Event Director. "We woke up to clear skies and amazing waves. We had been watching this swell for so long, and to see it all come together for the first stop of the Big Wave World Tour was a great way to start the season."

The 2011 Quiksilver Ceremonial participants included: Jamie Sterling, Kohl Christensen, Grant Washburn, Carlos Burle, Marcos Monteiro, Peter Mel, Ben Wilkerson, Cristian Merello, Greg Long, Gabriel Villaran, Frank Solomon, Nic Lamb, Joao De Macedo, Eric Rebiere, Sebastian De Romana, Rusty Long, Felipe Cesarano, Andres Flores, Ramon Navarro, Diego Medina, Fernando Zegers, Reinaldo “Chacha” Ibarra, Matias Lopez, and Leon Vicuna.

"We had amazing conditions and the best surfers in the world down here in Chile. Special thanks to the Pichilemu locals for sharing their waves, and we're looking forward to a bigger, better Ceremonial in 2012", adds Quiksilver's Latin America Events and Team Manager, Jim Compton.

The 2011/12 Big Wave World Tour now heads to Peru for the Billabong Pico Alto Invitacional.

2011 Quiksilver Ceremonial Punta De Lobos Big Wave Invitational | Final

1. Marcos Monteiro (BRA)
2. Ramon Navarro (CHI)
3. Gabriel Villaran (PER)
4. Kohl Christensen (HAW)
5. Greg Long (Ca,USA) and Cristian Merello (CHI)

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