Yallingup surfer Claire Bevilacqua has taken a huge step towards surfing in the Olympic Games 2020 by winning the European Championships in perfect waves at Santa Cruz, Portugal.
The local charger who grew up in Western Australia is now representing Italy where her parents originate and is aiming to qualify for the first Olympics to feature surfing.
The dream of competing for gold in Tokyo is burning bright along with many of the world's best surfers who will relish the opportunity to surf in the Japanese beach breaks.
The European Championships was a massive win for the talented natural footer who beat Francisca Veselko from Portugal, Rachel Presti from Germany and Peony Knight from the United Kingdom during an exciting final.
Italy also won the prestigious teams title against some tough competition from the European teams.
Bevilacqua has spent plenty of time in Italy over the years and is now a regular where she surfs the fun waves, immerses herself in the culture and enjoys the local food.
"It's just such an awesome opportunity to help the Italian surfing community and also reconnect with my Italian roots. Make my family proud. It's just an awesome new chapter of my career that I'm really looking forward to," Bevilacqua said.
The devoted health food yogi prepares her body for any situation in the waves by eating organic food and practising a wide variety of yoga and exercises.
After many victories in the surf around the world there have also been injury setbacks which required weeks of rehabilitation to get back to the way she wants to surf - with power, speed and plenty of pop in her airs.
Despite having some of the best waves in world in her backyard at home in Yallingup it is the North Shore of Hawaii that is Claire's favourite destination of choice.
"I love the force of the waves, the warm water and the tropics; I love the island's atmosphere and the connection I feel to the place," she said.
"I found the waves to be more difficult and scary, even though the waves of Margaret River are also really challenging for surfers."
For now her sights are directly set on Japan 2020 and qualifying for the biggest stage ever in competitive surfing history with just under a year until the Olympics begins.
Even if she is flying the flag for Italy then she will also be doing it for Yallingup and everyone will be cheering her on.
FORECAST:
It's been an epic week of waves and there should be some more until Thursday with a large three-metre swell and NE winds.
Friday turns NNE with a 2.3m swell.
The weekend shifts onshore with W winds and a new 4m swell but the winds ease on Sunday with a 3m swell.
