MANILA, Philippines – Top national female rider Samantha Bermudez barged into the semifinals of the 34th leg of the 2012 Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup Series at the Rainbow Bridge Wake Park, Odaiba Beach in Japan recently.
It was the second major international feat for the 26-year-old Bermudez, who also won the bronze medal in the Southeast Asian Games last year in Indonesia.
Teammate Carlo de la Torre likewise dished out an impressive performance but with the talented field of 44 riders from 21 countries, he failed to qualify for the next round.
Former champions Robbie Rendo of Argentina and Lauren Ormsby of Australia failed to impress head judge Aaron Armborst of Germany and his team and were also eliminated.
Bermudez was grouped in the semifinals 1 of the Open Ladies Wakeboard that included world champion Kirsteen Mitchell of Germany, British national champion Steph Caller and Australian Angelika Schriber, who eventually emerged the overall Open champion.
However, her total score only got her to fourth place as Mitchell, Schriber and Caller advanced to the championship round.
Nevertheless, Bermudez’ feat impressed Wake Boarding and Waterskiing Association of the Philippines (WWASP) president JV Borromeo as he decided to push his programs aimed at discovering and developing local wakeboarders and wakeskaters.
Borromeo tapped partner corporate sponsors in staging the “1st Monster Energy Drink Philippine Qualifier Series (PQS) presented by Safeguard Active” set Saturday at the Lago do Oro Wake Park in Calatagan, Batangas.