The third and last day of the Rip Curl Pro, this year’s 10th WQS, and the first one counting towards the European Championship Tour 07, part of the Rip Curl Surf & Music Festival, finished with German Marlon Lipke’s win at Supertubos, in Peniche, Portugal.

With a nerve wrecking final, Marlon Lipke ruled the heat until, in the dying seconds, Spanish Rip Curl rider Pablo Gutierrez managed to catch a wave that could have shredded Marlon’s dream, but it wasn’t enough.

“It was a very tough victory,” said Marlon after being declared this year’s Rip Curl Pro winner. “I’ve started well, feeling confident. But in the final minutes I didn’t go on a wave because I thought it didn’t had the potential, but Pablo [Gutierrez] caught it and did a 7.17”, tells us the athlete, that, in spite representing Germany, wanted to dedicate this victory to Portugal: “I’m here representing Germany, but my heart is Portuguese!”

Pablo Gutierrez was also a happy man. Despite not winning this contest again, he managed to turn the final result around and, from 4th all through the final; he ended up in 2nd place.

“It went very bad at the beginning. I couldn’t do a thing, couldn’t catch a good wave. Then, everybody in the beach started calling me and saying that I should go to the other peak [more on the right], and I did. Then, it was amazing! Marlon had some good scores, and I had nothing. But some good waves came and I gave my best. I’m very happy! A second place in this conditions is a good achievement”, said the Spanish surfer.

Congratulations to Pablo and Marlon!

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