Aussies Kill it at Burleigh
Sunday 31 January 2016 Two Australians took the first QS wins of their career when they won the Burleigh Pro on the Gold Coast. South Africa's Matt McGillivray took 4th in tough two foot surf at the iconic point break.
Young Aussie stable-mates Ethan Ewing and Macy Callaghan claimed their first ever World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series victories.
Finals day was blighted with onshore winds and small two-foot waves, but Ewing posted the highest single wave score of the contest, a near perfect 9.75 with three huge fin release turns. He backed it up with an 8.50. His rivals - two Australians and a South African - needed huge scores to get back into it.
"This is the biggest win of my career I'm so stoked," Ewing said. "The conditions weren't that great today so I just lowered my expectations. I knew I had to get a good start and managed to find a couple of fun ones and get a couple of decent scores."
Trailing Ewing for the majority of the heat in second place was Maroubra's Blake Thornton (AUS). Thornton's time on the WSL Championship Tour showed in his composure at the end of the heat when he was left needing a near perfect 9.26, Thornton took off on a set wave throwing everything at it to score a 9.00, and fell just short.
Jordy Maree, who smashed his Round 1 heat with the highest heat tally, was elminated in Round 2, as was WSL Africa champion David Van Zyl.
In the women's event, Callaghan was slow to get going in the Final, which was controlled by Gold Coaster Ellie-Jean Coffey (AUS) for the first 20 minutes. Callaghan was then able to find a set wave that offered up two sections that she was able to throw down powerful rail turns. Once she had the lead she posted two more solid scores to finish with a heat total of 15.50. Callaghan came into this contest in form after taking out the Subway Pro Junior Gold Coast last week, making her first ever QS victory even sweeter.
"I can't believe it, I'm so stoked," Callaghan said. "I've never won a QS so this is just awesome. Callaghan only just overcame Coffey in the end.
South African women Nicole Pallet and Emma Smith were ousted in Round One.
The Australasia QS Series continues tomorrow when the Telstra Stores Tweed Coast Pro get's underway. For more info on that event check www.worldsurfleague.com or the WSL App.
For results, click here
