Girls Turn Around Kiwi Surfer’s Fortunes at World Surfing Games
Ella Williams slashing her way to a convincing heat win in the first round of World Surfing Games in Costa Rica.
For immediate release
9th August 2016
From: Surfing New Zealand
Sport: International Surfing
Event: 2016 ISA World Surfing Games
Divisions: Open Men’s and Women’s
Date: 6 – 14 August 2016
Location: Jaco, Costa Rica
Websites: ISA and Surfing New Zealand
Girls Turn Around Kiwi Surfer’s Fortunes at World Surfing Games
Convincing performances from the female team members of the New Zealand Surfing Team will be a welcome boost as the six surfers head into day three of the INS ISA World Surfing Games being held at Jaco Beach, Costa Rica.
Ella Williams (WGM) completed a dominant performance in her first outing at the event posting 16.43 points out of a possible 20 in her heat – the second highest score of the round.
Williams was joined by Raiha Ensor (WGM) who also won her heat, easily progressing to the second round.
The second day of the event was completed in 1.0m – 1.5m waves at the beach break, the morning again offering up the superior conditions before light afternoon sea breeze winds.
Williams started her heat well with a 6.0 point ride and quickly added an 8.0 point ride to her tally. Her final and best wave, an 8.43 extended her lead and eventual win.
“It is really peaky out there, so there are great opportunities to show your potential” said Williams in her post heat interview. “I got lefts and rights out there and I am happy the waves allowed me to show what I can do.”
Despite the great start with the 8.0 point ride early on in the heat, Williams was eager to back up her score with a second good ride, well aware of the false sense of security a high scoring wave can provide. Her urgency showed as she took an easy win to advance alongside Australian surfer Brittani Nichol who finished in second.
Ensor, while posting a more modest heat total of 7.97 points was always in a dominant position to win her heat. It is Ensor’s first outing at the event and she will back up her international outing with an appearance at the World Junior Championships being held at the Azores Islands in Portugal next month.
“I was just trying to avoid repechage round and I am stoked to do that today” said Ensor who is relishing the warm weather and fun waves in Costa Rica.
Ensor advanced through her heat alongside Australian Codie Klein and despite the event only being in its infancy, she suggests the event feels much like the World Junior Champs she attended last year with an extremely high calibre of surfing.
Both surfers will be back in action in Round 2 of the event tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.
The guys will also be in the water contesting Repechage Round 1 in the afternoon. Taylor Hutchison (Rag) and Matt Hewitt (Mnt) contest the same heat while Zen Wallis (Piha) and Billy Stairmand (Rag) also contest the same heat late in the round.
The World Surfing Games are being held from the 6th – 14th August. The event kicked off with a Parade of Nations before the first day of competition got underway yesterday (Monday 8th August 2016).
Please see below for results from day two of the INS ISA World Surfing games being held at Jaco Beach, Costa Rica from the 6th – 14th August 2016.
Women’s Main Round 1
Heat 10
1, Raiha Ensor (NZL), 7.97, 2, Codie Klein (AUS), 6.93, 3, Christine Vopel (CAN), 2.57, 4, Adriana Cano (VEN), 1.97
Heat 11
1, Ella Williams (NZL), 16.43, 2, Brittani Nicholl, 11.54, 3, Leah Oke (CAN), 2.77, 4, Emilie Uttrup (DEN), 2.40
Times for New Zealand heats on day two of the event (NZT).
2:50am – Ella Williams
3:10am – Raiha Ensor
3:50am – Taylor Hutchison and Matt Hewitt
7:10am – Zen Wallis and Billy Stairmand
Over 140 athletes from 26 countries are attending the event, the first held by the ISA since surfing was added to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics last week.
The New Zealand Team is ranked eighth in the world which qualifies them to compete in the Aloha Cup Tag Team event comprising the top eight nations. This team-format event will take place in the last few days leading up to the individual finals.
About International Surfing Association (ISA)
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding, SUP and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964, and the Junior World Championships since 1980.
Further Information
For further information on the New Zealand Surfing Team please contact Surfing New Zealand’s Ben Kennings on 021 2278732 or email benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz.
Imagery
High resolution action images of team members will be available to media free of charge upon request.
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