Holly Wawn (Australia/Newport) took her first World Surf League (WSL) win at the New Zealand Home Loans Surf Festival defeating fellow Australian Isabella Nichols in stormy but good 1 meter plus surf at Fitzroy Beach Taranaki.
Wawn opened with a strong 7-point-ride and by mid-Final had backed that up with a solid 6.87 to control the bout from start-to-finish, taking a deserved win.
"It's so good to finally win a WSL event, I've had a number of second places and I was worried about getting pipped at the end of that Final so I'm really pleased to win," said Wawn.
"I head to Tahiti now for the next event which is super exciting and to go there with a win gives me a lot of confidence."
Isabella Nichols was in great form all event, but couldn't get past Wawn in the Final. - WSL / Will H-S
Wawn's victory elevated her to equal 1st on the Australasian WSL Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) rankings in an incredible three way tie with Isabella Nichols and 14-year-old Macy Callaghan from NSW's Central Coast.
Nichols was pleased with her 2nd place result and is looking forward to heading to Tahiti.
"It's incredible to have three girls tied for the series lead as we head to Tahiti, but it's also pretty stressful," said Nichols. "I just hope we get good waves over there and from what I hear about Tahiti there's an excellence chance we will."
The Port Taranaki Pro Women's QS6000 (Qualifying Series) is the premier event at this festival and Round 1 was completed in the best conditions of the day.
Tahitian surfer Karelle Poppke was the standout, posting an outstanding 9.40 ride to easily win through to Round 2. Earlier in the day Poppke scored a perfect 10 in her Round 3 Junior QS heat win.
"I've had a great day and that's my first perfect 10 point ride and hopefully not my last," said a confident Poppke.
"I'm confident here, the waves are really fun and I'm happy competing against all the international surfers and representing Tahiti."
Kiwi twins Gaby and Bianca Sansom both progressed in the QS6000 division. - WSL / Will H-S
New Zealand twin surfers Gaby Sansom and Bianca Sansom from Auckland enjoyed successful Round 1 heats, both advancing with Gaby winning her four surfer heat and Bianca advancing in 2nd place.
"It's great to surf against international surfers and challenge my own surfing capabilities," said Gaby who recently won the NZ Open Women's Championships for 2015. "If I was to do really well here I'd certainly look to competing more out of New Zealand, but right now I'll take it heat-by-heat."
With excellent conditions forecast, all the top seeds including Championship Tour surfers Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), Coco Ho (HAW), Laura Enever (AUS), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), Sage Erickson (USA) and Dimity Stoyle (AUS) are all expected to surf tomorrow.
North Beach Junior Women's QS1000 Final:
1st: Holly Wawn (AUS/Northern Beaches Sydney) 13.87
2nd: Isabella Nichols (AUS/Sunshine Coast) 12.60
More info, results and imagery available here - www.surffest.co.nz
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NZ Home Loans Surf Festival
- WSL / WSL/Will H-S
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Holly Wawn, winner of the North Beach Pro Junrio at the NZ Home Loans Surf Festival
- WSL / Will H-S
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Bronte Macaulay and her father, former Pro Surfer Dave Macaulay free surf check at the NZ Home Loans Surf Festival
- WSL / Will H-S
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Macy Callaghan of Australia winning Round 1 at the Port Taranaki Pro Womens QS6000 in NZ
- WSL / Will H-S
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Eliza Greene pre heat prep at the NZ Home Loans Surf Festival
- WSL / Will H-S
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Tahitian surfer Karelle Poppke winning her Round 1 heat of the Port Taranaki Pro
- WSL / Stephen Robertson
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Jaleesa Vincent of Australia advances in 2nd place in Round 1 at the Port Taranaki Pro Womens 6000
- WSL / Stephen Robertson
Wawn Wins NZ's North Beach Pro Junior
WSL
Holly Wawn (Australia/Newport) took her first World Surf League (WSL) win at the New Zealand Home Loans Surf Festival defeating fellow Australian Isabella Nichols in stormy but good 1 meter plus surf at Fitzroy Beach Taranaki.
Wawn opened with a strong 7-point-ride and by mid-Final had backed that up with a solid 6.87 to control the bout from start-to-finish, taking a deserved win.
"It's so good to finally win a WSL event, I've had a number of second places and I was worried about getting pipped at the end of that Final so I'm really pleased to win," said Wawn.
"I head to Tahiti now for the next event which is super exciting and to go there with a win gives me a lot of confidence."
Wawn's victory elevated her to equal 1st on the Australasian WSL Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) rankings in an incredible three way tie with Isabella Nichols and 14-year-old Macy Callaghan from NSW's Central Coast.
Nichols was pleased with her 2nd place result and is looking forward to heading to Tahiti.
"It's incredible to have three girls tied for the series lead as we head to Tahiti, but it's also pretty stressful," said Nichols. "I just hope we get good waves over there and from what I hear about Tahiti there's an excellence chance we will."
The Port Taranaki Pro Women's QS6000 (Qualifying Series) is the premier event at this festival and Round 1 was completed in the best conditions of the day.
Tahitian surfer Karelle Poppke was the standout, posting an outstanding 9.40 ride to easily win through to Round 2. Earlier in the day Poppke scored a perfect 10 in her Round 3 Junior QS heat win.
"I've had a great day and that's my first perfect 10 point ride and hopefully not my last," said a confident Poppke.
"I'm confident here, the waves are really fun and I'm happy competing against all the international surfers and representing Tahiti."
New Zealand twin surfers Gaby Sansom and Bianca Sansom from Auckland enjoyed successful Round 1 heats, both advancing with Gaby winning her four surfer heat and Bianca advancing in 2nd place.
"It's great to surf against international surfers and challenge my own surfing capabilities," said Gaby who recently won the NZ Open Women's Championships for 2015. "If I was to do really well here I'd certainly look to competing more out of New Zealand, but right now I'll take it heat-by-heat."
With excellent conditions forecast, all the top seeds including Championship Tour surfers Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), Coco Ho (HAW), Laura Enever (AUS), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), Sage Erickson (USA) and Dimity Stoyle (AUS) are all expected to surf tomorrow.
North Beach Junior Women's QS1000 Final:
1st: Holly Wawn (AUS/Northern Beaches Sydney) 13.87
2nd: Isabella Nichols (AUS/Sunshine Coast) 12.60
More info, results and imagery available here - www.surffest.co.nz
Karelle Poppke
Rachel Presti and Karelle Poppke post the biggest scores of the entire event so far.
Competitors get back to work post lay-day and take on a windy lineup.
Tahitian surfers dominate the opening day of women's competition.
The Japanese competitor kept the event trophy on home soil.
An important day of competition witnessed some of Japan's emerging surfers tip the scale and lock in Semifinal match ups.
Port Taranaki Pro NZ Home Loans Surf Festival
Sunshine Coast surfer Keely Andrew takes out Coco Ho in exciting Final in New Zealand.
Only four women remain in contention for top honors at NZ's biggest surfing event.
Massive day of surfing completed in excellent surf at the QS6000 in New Zealand.
Taranaki is preparing to host New Zealand's biggest surfing festival.