Australian surfer Ethan Ewing on Tuesday followed in his late mother’s footsteps by winning the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach title in front of home fans at Winkipop.
Ewing’s mother Helen, a champion surfer in the 1970s and 1980s, won the longest-running event in competitive surfing in 1983.
Forty years on, 24-year-old Queenslander Ewing dominated an all-Australian final against Newcastle surfer Ryan Callinan in choppy conditions to savor an emotional triumph.
Photo: AFP
“Far out. It’s crazy. This has been a crazy week,” said Ethan Ewing, whose mother died of cancer when he was six.
“It’s such a special thing, I’ve been thinking about her since I have been on the tour, and it’s been a huge goal of mine,” he said. “I want to do her proud.”
His name will be etched on the World Surf League (WSL) event’s trophy next to his mum’s.
Both the finalists pulled off upsets on the way to the decider, with Ethan Ewing knocking out Brazilian three-time WSL champion Gabriel Medina in the last 16 and Callinan taking down Hawaiian John John Florence in the semi-finals.
The host nation was also guaranteed a winner in the women’s event as reigning champion Tyler Wright claimed the final against compatriot Molly Picklum, the pair having emerged from all-Australian semi-finals.
“I didn’t really think much of this week,” 29-year-old Tyler said after coolly defending her title.
“It wasn’t like last year when there was so much emotion in it, as it took me 12 years to try and get the first one,” she said. “To really execute this week the way I have, I’m really proud.”
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