Georgia Young has written herself into the record books after claiming an impressive sixth victory at the 22nd Whalebone Longboard Classic, the fourth stop of the World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour (LT) for 2019.
Finalists - WSL / Justin Majeks
Despite an overnight drop in swell, Young drew upon her years of experience at Isolators Reef to defeat fellow West Australian Denver Young (AUS) in tightly contested a 30-minute final.
1988 World Champion Barton Lynch was on hand to call the final and share his insights on riding a variety of different craft. "It's great to be back in the West and last night's Business of Surfing was a real hoot," said Lynch. "I ride a longboard with my daughter a lot these days and it's been great to see a few of Perth's reef breaks come to life."
With a light onshore wind affecting the quality of waves on offer, Georgia Young battled the shifting conditions to amass a two-wave combined total of 10.01 (from a possible 20) which included a 5.03 and a 4.98.
"I'm so stoked, I love this event and it means so much to me get another win, I'm over the moon," said Young. "Denver and I used to surf together a lot, we both grew up surfing in Cottesloe, we went to the same school, so to have a final with her was definitely pretty special."
Georgia Young - WSL / Justin Majeks
Despite making her maiden WSL LT final, Denver Young couldn't find a quality wave when required and was left chasing a 5.44 (from a possible 10) to snatch victory.
"This is my first event in 2019 and it feels great to have a rashie on again and to make the final against such a good competitor as Georgia makes it fun," said Young. "This event has given me the itch to compete again and I look forward to doing a bit of shortboarding and longboarding."
Denver Young - WSL / Justin Majeks
The Men's Whalebone Classic finalists were also decided today, with an all WA match up set to go down between Jack Medland (AUS) and Anthony Spencer (AUS) tomorrow.
Medland booked a place into his first WSL final by defeating youngster Riley Thomson (AUS) in semi-final one. Notwithstanding a slow start, Medland posted a 13.73 two-wave combined total (from a possible 20) and is thrilled to be into his first Whalebone Classic final.
"I've been pipped in the semi's for the past two years, so to finally make the final is great," said Medland. "It's cool to be in the final with Anthony (Spencer), we both surf out here at Isolators heaps so it should be a great final."
Semi-final two saw Anthony Spencer (AUS) take down William Crowe (AUS) in a seesawing match up that had a little bit of everything.
Spencer, built momentum throughout the 25-minute heat, finishing on a combined total of 13.76 (from a possible 20) for great footwork and powerful backhand turns.
"I couldn't be happier right now, it'll be my first WSL longboard final and I can't wait for tomorrow," said Spencer. "Jack (Medland) and I have got a bit of a rivalry going on so it will be cool no matter who wins."
Jack Medland - WSL / Justin Majeks
An easing swell, but favourable conditions are forecast for tomorrow's final, with the a total of 16 professional and amateur divisions set to hit the water at WA's most iconic longboarding event.
Young Takes Historical Win at Cottesloe
WSL
Georgia Young has written herself into the record books after claiming an impressive sixth victory at the 22nd Whalebone Longboard Classic, the fourth stop of the World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Tour (LT) for 2019.
Despite an overnight drop in swell, Young drew upon her years of experience at Isolators Reef to defeat fellow West Australian Denver Young (AUS) in tightly contested a 30-minute final.
1988 World Champion Barton Lynch was on hand to call the final and share his insights on riding a variety of different craft. "It's great to be back in the West and last night's Business of Surfing was a real hoot," said Lynch. "I ride a longboard with my daughter a lot these days and it's been great to see a few of Perth's reef breaks come to life."
With a light onshore wind affecting the quality of waves on offer, Georgia Young battled the shifting conditions to amass a two-wave combined total of 10.01 (from a possible 20) which included a 5.03 and a 4.98.
"I'm so stoked, I love this event and it means so much to me get another win, I'm over the moon," said Young. "Denver and I used to surf together a lot, we both grew up surfing in Cottesloe, we went to the same school, so to have a final with her was definitely pretty special."
Despite making her maiden WSL LT final, Denver Young couldn't find a quality wave when required and was left chasing a 5.44 (from a possible 10) to snatch victory.
"This is my first event in 2019 and it feels great to have a rashie on again and to make the final against such a good competitor as Georgia makes it fun," said Young. "This event has given me the itch to compete again and I look forward to doing a bit of shortboarding and longboarding."
The Men's Whalebone Classic finalists were also decided today, with an all WA match up set to go down between Jack Medland (AUS) and Anthony Spencer (AUS) tomorrow.
Medland booked a place into his first WSL final by defeating youngster Riley Thomson (AUS) in semi-final one. Notwithstanding a slow start, Medland posted a 13.73 two-wave combined total (from a possible 20) and is thrilled to be into his first Whalebone Classic final.
"I've been pipped in the semi's for the past two years, so to finally make the final is great," said Medland. "It's cool to be in the final with Anthony (Spencer), we both surf out here at Isolators heaps so it should be a great final."
Semi-final two saw Anthony Spencer (AUS) take down William Crowe (AUS) in a seesawing match up that had a little bit of everything.
Spencer, built momentum throughout the 25-minute heat, finishing on a combined total of 13.76 (from a possible 20) for great footwork and powerful backhand turns.
"I couldn't be happier right now, it'll be my first WSL longboard final and I can't wait for tomorrow," said Spencer. "Jack (Medland) and I have got a bit of a rivalry going on so it will be cool no matter who wins."
An easing swell, but favourable conditions are forecast for tomorrow's final, with the a total of 16 professional and amateur divisions set to hit the water at WA's most iconic longboarding event.
Georgia Young
Jack Entwistle and Georgia Young earned one of the region's most prestigious trophies at the 21st annual Whalebone Longboard Classic.
Event champions and regional Longboard Champions crowned at Cottesloe, Perth.
Perth turned on perfect conditions for champions to be crowned at Australia's most prestigious longboard event.
They didn't waste anytime on Day 1 of the Whalebone Classic, running through Round 1, QF and SF in both men's and women's divisions
The three-day longboard event is one of Australia's most iconic surfing contests; it will run mid-July in WA.
Whalebone Classic
An all West Australian Final featuring Jack Medland and Anthony Spencer has seen Scores tied after 30-minute final, countback to decide
The 22nd annual Whalebone Longboard Classic is off to a flyer in Perth.
The 22nd installment of one of WA's most iconic events is set for a weekend of wild and woolly conditions.
Western Australia set to host iconic longboarding event.