Aussie wins junior surf world title

Coolum's Isabella Nicholls has won the women's section of the junior world surfing championships in Portugal.

Australia has crowned a new world champion, with teenager Isabella Nicholls taking out the women's world junior surfing title in Portugal.

The 18-year-old from Coolum scored a 18.30 to 11.16 win over Hawaii's defending world champion Mahina Maeda in clean one-metre waves at the Ribeira d'Ilhas pointbreak.

Brazil continued their recent domination of men's surfing with Lucas Silveira beating Guadeloupe's Timothee Bisso 16.17 to 11.74 in the final.

The highest-placed Australia in the male section was 20-year-old Byron Bay surfer Soli Bailey, who finished joint third after being shaded 15.70 to 14.76 by Bisso in their semi-final.

In the women's event, Nicholls set the early pace with an 8.93 wave and shut out Maeda with a 9.37 effort.

"I was lucky to get those two waves," said Nichols, who outscored compatriot Holly Wawn 16.26 to 11.60 in the semi-finals.

"I didn't know what was happening because we couldn't hear any scores.

"When I heard I had a good lead I started to calm down a bit and nothing really came through after that.

"It was the longest heat of my life for sure."

Maeda, 17, was philosophical about losing to Nicholls.

"It's definitely been a great event, a lot of ups and downs but I've learned a lot," Maeda said.

"It's funny every time I'm in a heat with 'Bella' she beats me, but I keep on learning from my mistakes.

"Getting a second place here will definitely make me hungrier for the future and the upcoming season."

Bailey struggled with a strong side-offshore wind in his semi-final.

"I'm definitely happy with a third place here," he said.

"I improved on last year's (result), unfortunately that was my last opportunity."


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Source: AAP


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