Team Australia Off To A Solid Start At UR ISA World Surfing Games
TAHARA, JAPAN
September 17th/2018
Team Australia is off to a solid start at the 2018 UR International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games in Japan with five of the six-strong team advancing through round one with heat wins.
Team Captain Sally Fitzgibbons top-scored for the Aussie girls in round one, winning her heat with a 12.30 point heat total in solid typhoon swell conditions.
"This is my first time in Japan and I am excited to experience the beautiful surf culture that this country has to offer. Seeing all the other teams arrive creates a special energy. It makes me realize that this is bigger than just an individual performance.” said Fitzgibbons.
"It is so motivating to come here and surf for my country. We are aiming for the Olympics, but also beyond that, trying to create a strong culture that will carry our team into the future."
Kai Tandler is the standout Australian in the men’s draw, taking victory comfortably with an 11.57 point heat total in round one and a second place 13.23 point heat total in round two to advance through to round three.
All three Australian girls remain in the main draw with Holly Wawn already through to round three. Sally Fitzgibbons and Phillip Anderson are set to surf their round two heats this afternoon or tomorrow.
Dextar Muskens was unable to advance through round one after drawing a tough heat against the likes of New Zealand’s Billy Stairmand and Indonesian super stat Rio Waida.
TEAM AUSTRALIA ROUND ONE AND TWO RESULTS:
Dextar Muskens 5.27 points (round 1, 4th place)
Kai Tandler 11.57 points (round 1,1st place) & 13.23 points (round 2, 2nd place)
Callum Robson 10.7 points (round 1, 1st place) & 6.23 points (round 2, 3rd place)
Holly Wawn 9.50 points (round 1,1st place) & 8.93 points (round 2, 1st place)
Sally Fitzgibbons 12.30 points (round 1,1st place)
Philippa Anderson 6.47 points (round 1,1st place)
For full results visit http://isasurf.org/wsg/2018/en/results/
The team, who are supported by Surfing Australia’s Elite Program Manager Bede Durbidge and Coach Tim Macdonald is:
Women:
Sally Fitzgibbons (Team Captain)
Holly Wawn
Philippa Anderson
Men:
Kai Tandler
Callum Robson
Dextar Muskens
Athletes have been selected based on their rankings on the 2018 World Surf League World Championship Tour, Qualifying Series or Australia/Oceania Junior Tour.
The Australian Open Surfing Team is proudly supported by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Hydralyte Sports.
The ISA worked closely with the World Surf League (WSL) when choosing the dates of September 15-22 as to ensure the 2018 ISA World Surfing Games did not overlap with any high-level Qualifying Series event or World Championship Tour event. In doing so, their collective goal is to encourage top-level participation around the globe by giving both QS and WCT competitors the opportunity to compete at the 2018 ISA WSG.
Given that the waiting period for the both the Men’s QS 10,000 in Cascais, Portugal and the Men’s 3,000 QS in the Philippines begins September 24, the Open Men’s division of the 2018 ISA WSG will be completed no later than September 21 to allow participating QS athletes the ability to arrive at their next destination prior to the start of competition. The Open Women’s division is still scheduled to end on September 22, depending on conditions and the length of competition needed.
Image: Sally Fitzgibbons and Callum Robson help open the 2018 UR ISA World Surfing Games in Japan. Image credit: International Surfing Association (ISA)
Team Australia at Opening Ceremony. Image credit: International Surfing Association (ISA)
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Aussie Ladies Dominate Day Three Of UR ISA World Surfing Games In Japan
TAHARA, JAPAN
September 18th/2018
On a day of contrasting fortunes for Team Australia, Sally Fitzgibbons, Holly Wawn and Phillipa Anderson led the charge at the UR ISA World Surfing Games at Japan’s Long Beach today.
Fitzgibbons and Wawn have won every heat they have surfed in thus far and await their round four heats.
Phillipa Anderson was extremely close to advancing through her round three heat and nearly pulled off a miracle in the dying seconds only to fall just short.
On the men’s side of the event, Kai Tandler went down in round three as the last Australian competitor in the main draw. Tandler was then eliminated in repechage three along with fellow Aussie Callum Robson.
Young Snapper Rocks goofy footer Dextar Muskens went on a redemption mission in the men’s repechage, winning round one, two, three and four heats. His round five repechage heat hits the water late this afternoon or tomorrow.
For full results visit http://isasurf.org/wsg/2018/en/results/
Dextar Muskens - Image credit: International Surfing Association (ISA)
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Aussie Ladies Set For Big Finish At UR ISA World Surfing Games In Japan
TAHARA, JAPAN
September 19th, 2018
Sally Fitzgibbons and Holly Wawn booked their spot in the semi-finals on the women’s side of the draw after comfortably reaching round five of the main draw today at the UR ISA World Surfing Games.
Wawn had to work hard to earn her second place in round five though, just getting the score she needed on the hooter. She joins Aussie team captain Sally Fitzgibbons, South African Bianca Buitendag and New Zealand’s Paige Hareb in the final four who await winners of the repechage in the semis. Fitzgibbons remains unbeaten in the competition and firms as one of the favourites to take the Gold Medal.
After being relegated to the repechage rounds, Phillipa Anderson stepped her surfing up a gear to advance through to repechage seven and stay in contention to make the women’s final.
Dextar Muskens had his run of good results come to an end in repechage six on the men’s side of the draw, going down to red-hot South African Adin Masencamp, Mexico’s Jhony Corzo and Indonesian star Rio Waida.
For full results visit http://isasurf.org/wsg/2018/en/results/
Holly Wawn on her way through round five at Tahara today. Image credit: International Surfing Association (ISA)
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Fitzgibbons Wins Gold And Team Australia Secures Silver At UR ISA World Surfing Games In Japan
TAHARA, JAPAN
September 22th, 2018
Team Australia has finished on a high after team captain Sally Fitzgibbons claimed the Gold Medal in the women’s division today at the UR ISA World Surfing Games at Long Beach, Tahara.
Fitzgibbons defeated Paige Hareb (New Zealand), Bianca Buitendag (South Africa) and Summer Macedo (USA) in a dominant display, posting a massive 18.64 point heat total in small but contestable conditions in the final to secure the women's individual Gold Medal and a Silver Medal for Team Australia.
Fitzgibbon won six of the seven heats she contested over the week-long event in a dominant display of surfing.
Aussie Holly Wawn had an extremely strong campaign, falling just one heat short of the final while teammate Phillipa Anderson charged through the repechage rounds to finish strongly in repechage 10 to help secure Team Australia a silver medal behind host nation Japan.
For full results visit http://isasurf.org/wsg/2018/en/results/
The team, who are supported by Surfing Australia’s Elite Program Manager Bede Durbidge and Coach Tim Macdonald, finished:
Women:
Sally Fitzgibbons (Team Captain) – Gold Medal
Holly Wawn – Round 6 main draw
Philippa Anderson – Repechage round 10
Men:
Kai Tandler – Round 3 main draw
Callum Robson – Repechage round 3
Dextar Muskens – Repechage round 6
Team Australia – Silver Medal
