There are renowned athletes who travel the world and have a successful career but are unable to lift the QS trophy. It is a decisive point, it lets the world and the athlete know that victory is possible.

Josefina Ané had been craving that moment for a long time. At 16 in Pichilemu she came second. Three years later, at her home in Mar del Plata, last week, she came second again.

Today, in South Africa, he won. This is what he told DUKE about that sweet first victory on the world circuit.

How did the idea of ​​traveling to this event come about?
One of the plans we had for this year with my family was to visit Indonesia. Looking for stopovers so that the trip would not be so long, my mother thought of South Africa, which coincided with two QS 1000s that are taking place this week.

How do you feel about your first QS win?
I am very happy, I started competing in the QS two years ago. Last week, the second place at home made me want to do more, today I was able to do it and that motivates me as an athlete.

It seems that the wave was similar to Yacht, could it be? How much did this influence your win?
Yes, the wave was very similar. In some way I felt comfortable and safe since I was training at the Yacht for the Easter event. The good thing about this beach was the consistency in both quality and size, which is difficult in Mar del Plata.

It seems that you won the series by a wide margin, except for one in round 2. How was that?
There were very good waves for everyone, the level of the girls is good, I was lucky to know how to choose the waves with more potential and get good scores. I never got overconfident and I fought until the last moment.

How did the South Africans feel about you ruining their party?
At no time did I feel that, on the contrary, from the first day I arrived they were very kind and friendly.

What did the locals say about you?
They were constantly pointing out my surfing and the scores I was getting. They congratulated me and even came to pick me up at the end of the heat when I won.

What was the best moment of the championship?
When I hugged my mother and with the flag the locals carried me on their shoulders.

What are you going to do from now on?
On April 13th another QS1000 event starts at Nahoon Reef, East London. From there I fly to Indonesia to train for a month. On my return I stop in Durban, where I will compete in the third QS 1000 event in South Africa.

Who do you dedicate the victory to?
To my entire family, without them none of this would be possible.