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Source: FEDESURF CR
With a spectacular performance in Sao Paulo, Leilani McGonagle was crowned queen of the groms at the Rip Curl GromSearch International in Brazil. This is the first time a surfer from Costa Rica secures victory at this event, which in the past has been dominated by high-caliber Hawaiian board riders such as Brisa Hennessey, Tatiana Weston-Webb and Malia Jones.
Leilani McGonagle comes from a legendary surfing family. The pro career of her brother Noe Mar has been extensively covered by The Costa Rica Star. At this time, however, she has surpassed her brother to become the Tica surfer with the highest standing at the international level.
Miss McGonagle was able to enter this tournament, which was held at Praia Maresias, thanks to a wild card sport since Costa Rica was not within the regional qualifying circuit. According to a report by Australian publication Surfing Life:
Top junior surfers from around the world battled it out over two days of competition at the Rip Curl GromSearch International final hosted by current WSL world champion Gabriel Medina and presented by GoPro, in front of a crowd of thousands watching from the beach.
In the girls’ division Australian Jaleesa Vincent (16, Coolum) knocked out the event’s number one seed Caroline Marks (USA) in the semis to set up a final showdown with Costa Rican Leilani McGonagle.
Miss McGonagle got high scores on two of her heats, which were accentuated by pristine conditions at Maresias. The Australian Miss Vincent responded with one high-scoring heat, but came up short on the second one.
“I’m really excited to be the first ever Costa Rican champion, it means a lot. It’s so cool to have my name on the winners’ list alongside my Hawaiian friends Tatiana Weston-Webb and Brisa Hennessy and all the other GromSearch winners!” McGonagle said.
In a statement made to the Surfing Federation of Costa Rica, Miss McGonagle stated that she is proud of putting our country higher on the international pro circuit stage, and that she is stoked about joining the ranks of the World Surf League.
