The USA’s Tia Blanco edged Leilani McGonagle, Ella Williams, and Chelsea Tuach to take the the 2015 ISA World Surfing Games gold medal on Saturday, June 7, 2015 in Playa Popoyo, Nicaragua.
“It means the world to me, to win this Gold Medal for the USA. I am so stoked!” exclaimed Blanco, still in the awe following her win. “Getting carried up the beach by my coach and Damien Hobgood was a dream come true – it was one for the memory book. Thank you to everyone who believed in me, I could not do it without you.”
For a few more words (thought not many more) please follow the jump.2015 Nicaragua Unica… Original ISA World Surfing Games Close with Bang, Playa Popoyo Erupts in International Celebration
Playa Popoyo, Nicaragua, June 7, 2015 – The final day of competition at the 2015 Nicaragua Unica… Original ISA World Surfing Games presented by Lafise and Claro ended with an international celebration for the sport of surfing. Twenty-seven National Teams flooded the sands of Playa Popoyo, Nicaragua alongside thousands of spectators to cheer on the action.
The entire day was full of fantastic surfing in overhead to double overhead waves.
The lineup for the Women’s Final included Tia Blanco (USA), Leilani McGonagle (CRI), Ella Williams (NZL) and Chelsea Tuach (Bar). 2014 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Bronze Medalist Blanco and Copper Medalist McGonagle took strong leads. However, by the end of the heat it was Blanco that would take the Gold Medal home for her country.
“It means the world to me, to win this Gold Medal for the USA. I am so stoked!” exclaimed Blanco, still in the awe following her win. “Getting carried up the beach by my coach and Damien Hobgood was a dream come true – it was one for the memory book. Thank you to everyone who believed in me, I could not do it without you.”