Monteiro Lobos Champ

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Brazil's Marcos Monteiro took top honours in the season's first Big Wave World Tour event at the Quiksilver Ceremonial Punta De Lobos Big Wave Invitational in 30ft plus surf. He takes home $10,000 and the early lead in the rankings. Chile's big left was called on five days in advance, testament to the confidence today's contest directors place in forecasting and getting bums on a plane seat early. Sure as eggs are eggs the swell turned up along with thousands of frothing spectators to watch the Big Wave World Tour kick-off the 2011/12 season. Standing atop the podium after the final heat were: Marcos Monteiro, Ramon Navarro and Gabriel Villarán. © 2013 VIA DE ESCAPE

The day's atmosphere was intense at the natural amphitheater of Punta de Lobos, more than two thousand fans lined the cliffs and helicopters buzzed overhead as whoops and hollers bounced around the rocks. South-by-southeast winds, cool, cloudy weather and 30 - 36 foot waves with 40 foot set waves provided the best contest conditions in three years. Ramon Navarro, a Punta de Lobos local took second place and drop of the day. © 2013 Escobarphoto

It really was an all South American affair with four of the six final places and the three top spots. Peru's Gabriel Villarán came in third, a ripper both in the big and small stuff. © 2013 Escobarphoto

"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 Montiero. "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." © 2013 Deheeckere

"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." © 2013 Deheeckere

Sentiments agreed with by Quik's Latin American honcho, Jim Compton, "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." © 2013 Escobarphoto

The full cast of the 2011 Quiksilver Ceremonial were: 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. © 2013 Escobarphoto