Aussie surfer Harrison beaten in Bells quarter-finals
John Salvado |
Local wildcard Ellie Harrison’s giant-killing run in the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach has come to an end, with Frenchwoman Johanne Defay coming out on top in their quarter-final encounter.
Making her Championship Tour debut, the 18-year-old Harrison had taken down Australian superstars Molly Picklum and Tyler Wright earlier in the competition.
But 2024 world rankings leader Defay proved to be a bridge too far on Sunday morning.
Harrison’s opening effort of 6.93 points was the highest single-wave score of the quarter-final, but the experienced Defay did enough to win the overall contest 12.13-10.86.
“This experience has been so amazing, surfing at my home and having all my family here and being in the Rip Curl Pro,” said Harrison, who is from the nearby beachside town of Barwon Heads.
“It has been the most amazing experience and I’m very grateful for the opportunity. Hopefully I’ll get more opportunities to be here.
“It was a good heat with Johanne; she’s an amazing surfer so it’s not bad to bow out to her.”
With the home crowd willing her on, Harrison took off on one last wave in the dying seconds of the quarter-final.
But it was not big enough to give her the score she needed to overtake Defay, who advanced to the semi-finals at Bells Beach for the first time.
“I love the passion; that’s why surfing is so popular in Australia,” said the Frenchwoman.
“I had my support back in Portugal against Tyler last week (when she beat Wright in the final of the previous World Surf League event at Supertubos).
“She’s going to be supported 100 per cent so you’ve just got to focus on your surfing.”
Defay will take on Costa Rica’s Brisa Hennessy in the semi-finals.
The other semi will be an all-American affair between Caitlin Simmers and reigning world champion Caroline Marks.
Marks edged past Brazilian Tatiana Weston-Webb 11.94-11.76 and teen sensation Simmers downed Hawaiian Gabriela Bryan 15.50-14.07.
Next up are the men’s quarter-finals, with Morgan Cibilic and defending champion Ethan Ewing the last Australians standing.
Organisers have yet to decide whether conditions will be good enough to complete the men’s and women’s competitions on Easter Sunday.
AAP
