Rondi wins Men’s Open Final at Phuket’s Quiksilver 2011 Surf Competition

STOKED: Raditya Rondi, from Indonesia, on his way to winning Phuket's 2011 Quiksilver Thailand Surf competition. Photo: Tim Hain

FINAL STAGE: Divisional winners gather together for a last photo opportunity. Photo: Tim Hain

PHUKET: The Quiksilver Thailand 2011 Surf Competition came to a thrilling finale on Saturday with Bali’s Raditya Rondi claiming victory in the Men’s Open Shortboard Division

Rondi gave a master class of producing big moves on small waves for the crowds which packed Patong Beach, Phuket. Along with the title, Rondi was awarded 30,000 baht, accommodations from Ibis hotels and airline tickets from Nok Air.

"I’m so stoked to be the winner today...finally. I’ve been so close and almost won several times this year, but now I’ve done it. And in such a great place, I’m so happy I came here to Phuket," said Rondi.

The top spots on the podium in all divisions were taken by Indonesian surfers, with Arif "Mencos" Hidayat from West Java winning the Longboard Division, Yasnyiar "Bonne" Gea from Sumatra taking the Women’s Division victory, and Bali legend Wayan Gantiyasa winning the Masters Division.

Phuket’s own surfing sensation, Annissa Flynn, was the top Thai surfer in the Women’s Division. The teenage star secured the 1st runner up spot ahead of Indonesia’s Gamala Hanafiah and Australia’s Charmaine Gale.

"I had lots of fun out there and I didn’t lose by much, only by half a point, and so I feel good about today." Annissa said.

CEO for Quiksilver South East Asia, Paul Hutson, was delighted with this year’s event.

"This was another example of the outstanding execution of professional event organizing by Surached and his team at Quiksilver Thailand, and I couldn’t be more pleased," he said.

Quiksilver Thailand 2011 Surf Competition Results:

Men’s Open Shortboard Division

1. Raditya Rondi (IND)

2. Mega Semadhi (IND)

3. Pepen Hendrik (IND)

4. Marlon Gerber (IND)

Open Longboard Division

1. Arif Nur Hidayat (IND)

2. Husni Ridwan (IND)

3. Weerawat Kuru (THA)

4. Teiki Ballian (FRA)

Women’s Division

1. Yasnyiar Gea (IND)

2. Annissa Flynn (THA)

3. Gemala Hanafiah (IND)

4. Charmaine Gale (AUS)

Master’s Division

1. Wayan Gantiyasa (IND)

2. Chalong Thongsook (THA)

3. Devin Long (THA)

4. Tatsuya (JAP)

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/_n11044

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-09-26

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