Margaret River’s Olive Hardy has continued her impressive form on the national stage, claiming the Under 18 Girls title at the Rip Curl GromSearch Phillip Island presented by Bass Coast Shire in Victoria.
Hardy went undefeated throughout the competition, winning every heat on her way to the final in pumping four-to-five-foot conditions at Phillip Island. The WA young gun stepped things up on Finals Day, posting an 8.00 and 8.60 in her semi-final, before sealing the title with scores of 7.50 and an excellent 8.00 for a 15.50 heat total in the final.
Hardy defeated NSW’s Lani Cairncross to secure the Under 18 Girls crown and another major result in what has been a standout year for the Margaret River surfer.
Fellow Western Australian Dylan Murray also represented WA at the Rip Curl GromSearch, competing in the Under 16 Boys division.
Read the full Surfing Victoria media statement below.
PHILLIP ISLAND, VICTORIA: Finals Day of the Rip Curl Gromsearch Phillip Island presented by Bass Coast Shire has wrapped up, crowning champions from all divisions. Today the competitors were met once again with incredible surf, surpassing the expectations of competitors and event organisers. Surf continued to pulse in the 4–5ft range, which allowed organisers to run on the optimal tides, running the event from 11 am and finishing at 3 pm.
Under 18. Boys was a close affair, with Lachlan Arghyros (Casuarina, NSW) narrowly beating Reef Cant (Mermaid Waters, QLD). Lachlan used his precise backhand to post a total of 14.00 points, close behind Reef, who earned 13.27, with his wave selection not allowing a higher scoring potential.
“Every comp’s hard no matter who you’re up against”.Reflecting on his tactical strategy during the heat, he explained, “The ocean kind of just went a bit flat, so I ended up just trying to get two quick off the start and kind of set me up pretty well and put a bit of pressure on the other kid in my heat”.
To finish the day, the under 18 girls competed in the final heat. Olive Hardy (Margaret River, WA) saved her best performance for last, posting an excellent 8.00-point ride on her final wave. Although it was a close heat, Olive ran away with it, ousting Lani Cairncross (Kiama Downs, NSW).
The under-14 boys, Maverick Macgugan (Avalon, NSW) & Hayden Mee (Newcastle, NSW) kicked off the finals with a bang, with under a point separating the two. Hayden opened the account with 15.30, but it was Maverick who was able to wrestle back the lead and come out on top with a 16.10.
Victorian Lilly White (Jan Juc, VIC) clawed back victory in the dying seconds, earning a 7.5 to earn a total of 11.90 to oust Everly Morgan (Mollymook, NSW) in the under 14 girls final.
ISA world champion Locana ‘Loci’ Cullen (Avalon, NSW) proved why he is a phenom, posting an excellent score every heat he surfed, and the final was no different, posting an 8.50 and a 9.00. Jaxon Pardoe (Whataupoko, NZ) wasn’t going out without a fight, however, posting a heat total of 13.33 to finish runner-up in the under-16 boys.
Under 16 girls had fireworks with Talia Tebb (Kincumber, NSW) showcasing a level of surfing well beyond her years, posting a heat total of 18.70 to beat goofy footer Maddison Kenchington (Coolangatta, QLD).
Talia Tebb, representing the Central Coast in the Under 16 Girls division, detailed her heat performance and future goals. “We had super fun conditions down here at Woolamai; the wave’s been super good”. Looking ahead to the next event, she expressed, “The national final’s always such a fun event down at the Wave Pool and yeah, can’t wait to head to Melbourne”.
Pictured: WA’s Olive Hardy powers through Finals Day at Phillip Island on her way to claiming the Rip Curl GromSearch Under 18 Girls title. Photo: Jacques Kelly / Surfing Victoria.
FINALS DAY RESULTS
Under 14 Boys
1. Maverick Macgugan (Avalon Beach) – 16.10
2. Hayden Mee (Merewether) – 15.30
Under 14 Girls
1. Lily White (Jan Juc) – 11.90
2. Everly Morgan (Mollymook Beach) – 10.50
Under 16 Boys
1. Locana Cullen (Avalon Beach) – 17.50
2. Jaxon Pardoe (Whataupoko, NZ) – 13.33
Under 16 Girls
1. Talia Tebb (Kincumber) – 18.70
2. Maddison Kenchington (Coolangatta) – 13.17
Under 18 Boys
1. Lachlan Arghyros (Casuarina) – 14.00
2. Reef Cant (Mermaid Waters) – 13.27
Under 18 Girls
1. Olive Hardy (Margaret River) – 15.50
2. Lani Cairncross (Kiama Downs) – 13.33
The event is supported by Rip Curl, Bass Coast Shire, Victorian Government Significant Sporting Events Program, Surfing Australia, Surfing Victoria, Bass Coast Shire, Fatboy Bikes, Ritual Vision, Victorian Government, Live Heats, Phillip Island, P.I.B.C, Beyond Coconut Water, Surfing Australia, Skin Health Australia and Park Lane Holiday Parks.
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