New Zealand's Ella Williams claimed her maiden World Surf League (WSL) qualifying series (QS) victory, taking out the women’s division at the 2019 Mothernest Great Lakes Pro in heavy four-to-six foot surf at Tuncurry.
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Williams' ability to consistently post decent scores on longer running lefts proved to be an advantage as she moved past France's Cannelle Bulard in the semi finals and Cabarita's Zahli Kelly in the final.
The Kiwi goofy-foot performed a mix of powerful forehand snaps in the final against Kelly, posting a decent 13.50 two-wave heat total to claim her first QS victory by less than a two-point margin.
“This is a fantastic feeling and so exciting,” Williams said.
“The waves were pumping out there and I couldn’t be happier to get this win. The lefts came into my favour as I could use my forehand predominately. Where I’m from in Whangamata is a lefthand sandbar, so I was quite comfortable out there.”
Despite moments of brilliance in the final, Kelly was unable to find the necessary seven-point ride required to top Williams.
Nevertheless, Kelly walks away from the Mothernest Great Lakes Pro, with her head held high and confident going into the upcoming Vissla Central Coast Pro and Vissla Sydney Surf Pro QS events.
“That feels like a good start to the year and definitely got the momentum going heading into the next events,” Kelly said.
“I wanted to go out there and get the bigger waves that had corners on them so they didn’t close out, I just don’t think I got the opportunity to get the waves I wanted and when I did, I wasn’t holding priority.”
