Kaua‘i’s Alana Blanchard pulled the biggest upset of the day in the opening round of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast at Duranbah Beach in Australia. The 18-year-old rookie from Hanalei won her heat with a score of 15.34 and defeated
Kaua‘i’s Alana Blanchard pulled the biggest upset of the day in the opening round of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast at Duranbah Beach in Australia. The 18-year-old rookie from Hanalei won her heat with a score of 15.34 and defeated Australia’s Amee Donohoe (12.17) and Brazil’s Jacqueline Silva (9.56).
Blanchard was a part of the rookie class for the Association of Surfing Professionals who had a strong showing on the opening day earlier this week. Blanchard now advances in the competition and awaits the announcement of her opponents. The seedings for the following rounds have not been fully completed yet.
There was a lay day called for Tuesday due to insufficient surf of only 1 to 2 feet. Event organizers are expected to reconvene Wednesday to determine a possible start for Round 2.
Other Hawai‘i surfers who have earned spots in upcoming heats were fellow rookie Coco Ho (14.26) who finished second in her heat to Australia’s Chelsea Hedges (14.60), Melanie Bartels (14.34) who also finished second in her heat to Brazil’s Bruna Schmidt.
Megan Abubo finished third in her heat and is slated to surf in Round 2 against Australia’s Rebecca Woods and Jessi Miley Dryer.
For full story on how the rest of the rookies did, see today’s Surf page on B3.
