TEAM | Isabel Blanco Wins THE VIC
The Vic just went down on Aliso Beach in Laguna Beach, CA and our girl Isabel Blanco came out on top! It was a heavy contest filled with tons of talent and sick waves. Isabel has been crushing it all season long after coming back from a knee injury in the off-season and we are stoked for her. Congrats, Isabel! Check in with her below and see how she feels about it and what she has planned for the future!
HAMMER: Yo! Congrats on winning the VIC! That’s huge! How does it feel?
Isabel: Thank you! I’m feeling so happy and really proud of myself.. grateful that my body felt ok for the heats this weekend.
HAMMER: What was going through your head during your finals heat?
Isabel: I can say it was the first time in my competition history that I was super stoked, happy and calm. I felt I exceeded my expectations so it was all about enjoying the perfect conditions and having fun around all the talented skimmers.
HAMMER: After dealing with your knee injury, how does it feel to come back this season and take the win at such an epic event like this?
Isabel: My goal was getting into the semifinals. I knew it would be tough but I was motivated and ready to make it happen. I really got super emotional after the final. It’s been a long journey to come back from that injury and only I truly know all the pain I had to go through, physically and emotionally, so for all that effort to turn into this win was really special. I’m still working on it everyday in order to be able to skim and keep doing what I love.
HAMMER: What was your favorite moment from the contest? Outside of actually winning, of course…
Isabel: Honestly, watching the level of all the Skimgirlz throughout the event. The level is only going up and it's exciting to be part of it.
HAMMER: Congrats again! We’re stoked for you. What are your plans for the rest of the season?
Isabel: I’ll be getting ready for the remaining contests this season and trying to finish strong! But the main goal is to keep my knee healthy and keep coming back to compete!
HAMMER: Anybody you’d like to shout out and thank?
Isabel: I definitely want to thank my physiotherapist and my trainer. I’m only here because of them. And, of course, my sponsors that stick with me in the bad times, trusting I will come back…I’ll keep pushing to be better every day!