Australian surfer escapes after fear of leg rope | The Canberra Times
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Australian surfer Isabella Nichols had a scary moment after being trapped underwater in her round of 16 at the Margaret River Pro. Nichols had just completed a wave on Tuesday when it was pushed by lime on rocks and coral. The cord from the 23-year-old’s leg caught on some coral and she was held underwater for about five seconds before it could be torn off and returned to the surface. His opponent Keely Andrew was hit earlier in the round of 16 when his board hit rocks and fell face first in the danger zone. Nichols ended up winning the 12.83-12.63 shock to stage a quarterfinal against four-time world champion Carissa Moore, and she thanked her lucky stars for being able to walk away relatively unscathed. “Oh man, that was probably one of the loudest shows I’ve ever had,†Nichols told the WSL show. “I landed on the flat shelf, I thought everything was fine. I fished in star. I ended up being dragged on my stomach, hit my hip, put my foot in a hole, then my leg rope ended up grabbing a big block of coral, and I couldn’t get out. “I was grabbing the rope from my leg, and the little tag you’re supposed to be pulling was flipped over, so I couldn’t get it.†And as soon as I got there I was like “c ‘was very lucky. â€â€œ Seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons put on a dreamy all-Australian quarterfinal showdown after winning their way. Gilmore passed close friend and former roommate Nikki Van Dijk, while Fitzgibbons defeated Malia Manuel. West Australian Bronte Macaulay caused the upheaval of the day by beating World No.2 Caroline Marks. Macaulay, who is from nearby Gracetown, used his knowledge to perfection to build a winning lead. Marks was fortunate enough to secure the win with the last heat wave, but the wave died down and the American was only able to get a 6.67 when an 8.10 was necessary. “It means tellemen I don’t have to go through this round, â€Macaulay said. “I really needed that result if I want to get to the end of the year (finals). Caroline is so solid. She’s the best crazy on tour right now so it’s cool to beat her.” The result sets up a quarter-final clash with France’s Johanne Defay, who beat Japan’s Amuro Tsuzuki. Australia’s Tyler Wright joined Macaulay in the quarter-finals despite some late tactical errors in her victory over Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy. Wright twice gave up priority in the dying minutes on inadequate waves, but still managed to hang on to win 11.83 to 11.13. “Look, I made a few mistakes that I really shouldn’t be making,†Wright said. “Especially in the back end of the round I really need to tighten that up. Other than that I’m happy to pass.” Wright will face Brazilian Tatiana Weston-Webb in the quarter-finals. Australian Associated Press
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Australian surfer Isabella Nichols had a scary moment after being trapped underwater in her round of 16 at the Margaret River Pro.
Nichols had just completed a wave on Tuesday when it was pushed by lime on rocks and coral.
The cord from the 23-year-old’s leg caught on some coral and she was held underwater for about five seconds before it could be torn off and returned to the surface.
His opponent Keely Andrew was hit earlier in the round of 16 when his board hit rocks and fell face first in the danger zone.
Nichols ended up winning the 12.83-12.63 shock to stage a quarterfinal against four-time world champion Carissa Moore, and she thanked her lucky stars for being able to walk away relatively unscathed.
“Oh man, that was probably one of the loudest shows I’ve ever had,†Nichols told the WSL show.
“I landed on the flat shelf, I thought everything was fine. I fished in star. I ended up being dragged on my stomach, hit my hip, put my foot in a hole, then my leg rope ended up grabbing a big block of coral, and I couldn’t get out.
“I was grabbing the rope from my leg, and the little tag you’re supposed to be pulling was upside down, so I couldn’t get it.”
“And as soon as I got there I was like ‘it was very lucky’.”
Seven-time world champions Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons put on a dreamy all-Australian quarterfinal showdown after winning their way.
Gilmore passed his close friend and former roommate Nikki Van Dijk, while Fitzgibbons beat Malia Manuel.
West Australian Bronte Macaulay caused the turmoil of the day by beating world No.2 Caroline Marks.
Macaulay, who is from nearby Gracetown, used his local knowledge to perfection to build a winning lead.
Marks were fortunate enough to take the win with the last heat wave, but the wave died down and the American was only able to get a 6.67 when an 8.10 was needed.
“It means so much to go through this round,†Macaulay said.
“I really needed that result if I want to get to the end of the year (finals). Caroline is so solid. She’s the best crazy on tour right now so it’s cool to beat her.”
The result sets up a quarter-final clash with France’s Johanne Defay, who beat Japan’s Amuro Tsuzuki.
Australia’s Tyler Wright joined Macaulay in the quarter-finals despite some late tactical errors in her victory over Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy.
Wright twice gave up priority in the dying minutes on inadequate waves, but still managed to hang on to win 11.83 to 11.13.
“Look, I made a few mistakes that I really shouldn’t be making,†Wright said.
“Especially in the back end of the round I really need to tighten that up. Other than that I’m happy to pass.”
Wright will face Brazilian Tatiana Weston-Webb in the quarter-finals.
Australian Associated Press
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