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Brazilian wins all South American Final
by George Mojo
07/05/2007:// In-form Phil Rajzman pulled out all the stops to win an all South American final and clinch the Oxbow World Longboard title in France.
In defeating fellow Brazilian Danilo Rodrigo by 15 points to 12.30 at Les Cavaliers, in Anglet, Rajzman also made professional surfing history by becoming the country's first ever ASP international world champion.
“I am so proud right now,” said Rajzman after his victory. “To be the first ever Brazilian surfing world champion is something pretty special. This is my best ever result and to do it here in France at an Oxbow event is amazing.”
Rajzman acknowledged two important people in his life.
“I had a baby daughter only two months ago so I think she helped send the waves I needed to become world champion.” he said. “Also to have Alex “Picuruta” Salazar on the beach, who is like my master and who gave me so much strength and support was incredible.”
Salazar, the father figure in Brazilian surfing who has been runner up to the world title a record three times, competed in this event and also played a huge role in the other finalist Rodrigo’s life.
“Picuruta is like a father to me,“ said Rodrigo. “He practically brought me up and taught me everything I know about surfing. I surfed for him today as well, but like him I also came second. Still, I am very proud of my result and am happy there is now a world champion from Brazil.”
Rajzman had been one of the form surfers of the entire event and again dominated the final. His highest scoring wave, an eight-point ride, featured some huge modern top turns followed by a radical toes-on-the-nose spinning “helicopter”.
“Phil really deserves it,” said Nat Young, the four-time world longboard champ and patron of the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship. “He surfed so strong and is such a young guy and of course the Brazilians are a real force in longboarding now, which is great to see.”
Earlier in the contest, Rajzman has defeated Carlos Bahia in the first semi final, while in the other semi, Rodrigo had overcome the only former world champion still left in the event, Bonga Perkins (HAW). That set up the all-Brazilian final and guaranteed that surfing history would be made.
“The support from Brazil, both here at the event and from emails and phone calls from back home has been incredible,” said Rajzman. “This means a lot to the people back home, and, of course, to me. I think we will all have a big party when I return home."
Britain's highest finisher at the event was Cornwall's World Surfing Games silver medallist Ben Skinner, who was defeated by Bahia in round three of the competition.
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