Jay Davies (AUS) and Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) dominated the WA Trials to earn wildcards in the men's and women's Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.
Davies and Bevilacqua dominated in testing conditions at Surfers Point. A field of 17 male and female Western Australian surfers was whittled down over a busy day of competition as the world's best surfers continued to roll into Margaret River for the third event of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, which kicked off Wednesday, April 15 (local time).
Bevilacqua, a former Championship Tour competitor, showed her experience to defeat up and coming talent Bronte Macaulay (Gracetown) in a slow and scrappy final. Bevilacqua picked off two good set waves to post a combined total of 10.00 (from a possible 20).
"I'm so grateful for this opportunity," she said. "I knew Bronte was going to be tough to beat given her form this year, but I just stuck to my guns and it all paid off."
Bevilacqua has done well at events in Hawaii, and will be well-equipped for the swell at Margies this week. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Bevilacqua will face off with current WSL women's ratings leader and defending Margaret River Pro winner Carissa Moore (HAW) and Coco Ho (HAW) in Round 1, Heat 3.
"I love a challenge and fingers crossed the waves are big and powerful for the event because that's the surf I feel I really shine in," said Bevilacqua.
The men's final brought together three of WA's most highly regarded talents, with Jay Davies (Margaret River) edging out a fast finishing Jack Robinson (Margaret River) and Shaun Howe (Kalbarri) to claim his place in the main draw.
In a see-sawing final battle, Davies posted two scores that amassed him a 14.45 total (from a possible 20) leaving Robinson and Howe both chasing six point plus rides to snatch victory.
"I've never really won anything before so this is a rare but a totally satisfying feeling," said Davies. "The forecast is looking so good with conditions and locations that really suit my style of surfing."
Davies is set to face current men's CT rankings leader Mick Fanning (AUS) fellow Aussie Matt Wilkinson (AUS) in Round 1, Heat 6.
"I'm not daunted by my opposition, just excited by the forecast and the opportunity to compete in my maiden WCT event."
He and Bevilacqua join Alejo Muniz, who is currently No. 2 on the men's Qualifying Series (QS), and was awarded the WSL wildcard for the event. Catch the Margies Pro LIVE daily at worldsurfleague.com and on the WSL app.
Davies, Belivacqua Win Margies Pro Trials
WSL
Jay Davies (AUS) and Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) dominated the WA Trials to earn wildcards in the men's and women's Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.
Davies and Bevilacqua dominated in testing conditions at Surfers Point. A field of 17 male and female Western Australian surfers was whittled down over a busy day of competition as the world's best surfers continued to roll into Margaret River for the third event of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, which kicked off Wednesday, April 15 (local time).
Bevilacqua, a former Championship Tour competitor, showed her experience to defeat up and coming talent Bronte Macaulay (Gracetown) in a slow and scrappy final. Bevilacqua picked off two good set waves to post a combined total of 10.00 (from a possible 20).
"I'm so grateful for this opportunity," she said. "I knew Bronte was going to be tough to beat given her form this year, but I just stuck to my guns and it all paid off."
Bevilacqua will face off with current WSL women's ratings leader and defending Margaret River Pro winner Carissa Moore (HAW) and Coco Ho (HAW) in Round 1, Heat 3.
"I love a challenge and fingers crossed the waves are big and powerful for the event because that's the surf I feel I really shine in," said Bevilacqua.
The men's final brought together three of WA's most highly regarded talents, with Jay Davies (Margaret River) edging out a fast finishing Jack Robinson (Margaret River) and Shaun Howe (Kalbarri) to claim his place in the main draw.
In a see-sawing final battle, Davies posted two scores that amassed him a 14.45 total (from a possible 20) leaving Robinson and Howe both chasing six point plus rides to snatch victory.
"I've never really won anything before so this is a rare but a totally satisfying feeling," said Davies. "The forecast is looking so good with conditions and locations that really suit my style of surfing."
Davies is set to face current men's CT rankings leader Mick Fanning (AUS) fellow Aussie Matt Wilkinson (AUS) in Round 1, Heat 6.
"I'm not daunted by my opposition, just excited by the forecast and the opportunity to compete in my maiden WCT event."
He and Bevilacqua join Alejo Muniz, who is currently No. 2 on the men's Qualifying Series (QS), and was awarded the WSL wildcard for the event. Catch the Margies Pro LIVE daily at worldsurfleague.com and on the WSL app.
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