SOUTH African surfing sensation Bianca Buitendag, 18, recorded her biggest victory in her professional career with a fantastic win in the ASP 6-Star Movistar Pro in Peru.
The victory on Sunday took Buitendag to fifth in the ASP World Star women’s rankings.
En route to the final, Buitendag secured victories over Port Elizabeth-born Australian Philippa Anderson and Bay heroine and 2004 ASP Women’s World champion Sofia Mulanovich.
"I told myself that if I make it to round three, I would be happy. But in the back of my head, I knew I had to get a breakthrough result to be in contention to qualify,” Buitendag said.
The Cape Town-born surfer who attended high school in George, said she spent most of her time travelling the world following surfing competitions.
She has been involved in competitions in Australia, France and Peru. She has four events scheduled for the next two months.
"To be honest, I am rarely in the same place for long. I am just chasing after competitions,” she said.
Buitendag, who plans to further her studies, said she would use this time to decide on what really interests her.
Fellow South African Sarah Baum, 18, also reached the podium with her career best third place finish in an ASP 6-Star event.
