Padang Padang did not end up coming through for the Rip Curl Cup. Uluwatu was the plan B choice and the decision to move there was excellent because waves folding over its Racetrack session were peeling in classic form. Throughout the day the top 32 ISC-ranked surfers battled it out in the long hollow lefts and the pressure was really on because the eventual winner would be earning Rp. 20 million and a wildcard spot in the WCT Rip Curl Search Somewhere... starting only several days later. It was the man on man final between Komang "Gogo" Sujaya and Dede Suryana that turned up the afternoon heat that extra notch, but first let's examine some highlights before getting into who won.
The Uluwatu locals showed their home-court advantage by catching the best waves each heat. Gobleg scored high points for double-barrel waves and tight pocket snaps. Made Lana proved his worth with a deep backside tube ride followed by big spraying snaps that scored him a perfect 10, stirring the crowd on the clifftop. Later this 10 would also win Lana Rp. 1 million for Best Maneuver. But it was Made Lapur who ripped together combo rides on the A-grade Racetrack waves that set him apart from the Ulu pack and earned him a well-deserved equal 3rd place when Gogo stopped his momentum in the semis.
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GOGO AND DEDE SHOWDOWN AT ISC RIP CURL CUP
The man they call Mega surfed in solid form all day with big snaps, double barrels and long rides, going for the gold at his sponsor's contest, but unfortunately came up short midway. Lee Wilson showed some backside tube skill and just barely squeaked by in-form Devis Ratiff before losing to Dede Suryana in the semis for an equal 3rd next to Made Lapur. Wave selection proved crucial on the Racetrack, a spot where perfect walls can prematurely shut down and feathering fast sections can hold up into dream peelers. Surfers in rhythm that were finding the longest highest scoring rides were pulling in the deepest and surfing the furthest down the line, really showing what can be done at Uluwatu when it's going off.
After 5 pm in the blazing afternoon sun, the loyal crowd huddled into any available shade and watched as Dede and Gogo made their way out for the final showdown. Gogo trailed Dede the whole heat until the end when out of nowhere, the biggest and best wave of the final came right to him. The crowd stared through the glare as Gogo pulled right into the barrel off the drop, came out, and the tucked under a second tube section that he flew out of into a series of lip-hitting snaps prompting cheers from the crowd and praise from the judges. Perhaps sensing that he could do no better than that Gogo paddled in early with five minutes remaining on the clock. Uluwatu had made its decision and didn't send another redemption set Dede's way.
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On the winner's podium Gogo thanked God, Rip Curl, and the Uluwatu locals for making this possible. As he held up his well-deserved Rp. 20 million check Gogo was not only today's winner because along with it comes a Wildcard ticket into the upcoming Rip Curl Search Somewhere... contest making him Indonesia's ambassador to the surfing world where such a WCT contest has not been held in 10 years since the G-land pro. Gogo had not only brought the win to Kuta but had also given Kuta representation in the big leagues with his wildcard. As the golden sunset smiled its last rays the victory drinks began flowing and the night started to call. It had been a long day and now it was time to unwind for the weekend. Good luck Gogo and thanks to all the competitors who made this day at Uluwatu one to remember.
text by Lorca