Gabriela Bryan and Jordy Smith claim victory at the Margaret River Pro
It is Bryan's second successive win at the Margaret River Pro, and her second win in the World Surf League's Championship Tour this year.
Posting a 9.5 and securing the best combined total for the women's series so far, Bryan holds onto the yellow jersey and puts extra space between herself and 19-year-old Caitlin Simmers, who sits at a close number two on the women's world rankings.
She told the World Surf League she was still getting used to her status as the competition's front-runner.
"Every heat I have with it I'm getting more comfortable," Bryan said.
"I have amazing people supporting me and I honestly couldn't do it without them."
Simmers is still hoping for her second world title in a row after becoming the youngest to claim one last year.
She knocked off the last-standing West Australian, wildcard Bronte Macaulay, in their semi-final heat earlier in the day.
It was Macaulay's fourth time making the semi-finals at her home break but she has never made it to finals.
But she came out all smiles, to cheers from local supporters.
It was the veteran versus the comeback kids in the men's final, with South Africa's Smith eventually securing the win.
American surfer Griffin Colapinto charged up the ranks to make both the cut and the Margaret River Pro finals, but Smith's performance was too strong.
Smith, oldest in the league at 37, has already had one win this year and currently sits at number one, chasing his first world title.
He made the most of the slight swell on offer, less than a week after Main Break offered up some of its biggest waves on record.
The Margaret River event has served as a crucial mid-year cut point for the tour, after which lower-ranked competitors are relegated back to the qualifying circuit, a format which has divided surf fans.
It was announced earlier this year that the feature would be dropped in 2026, and tour organisers would reintroduce a more traditional cumulative points winner to determine titles for the 2026 season.
The Margaret River event will also be held earlier in the tour, with the season-ending event shifted to Pipeline in Hawaii.
The tour now moves to California where 11-time world champion Kelly Slater will compete as a wildcard ahead of the world title showdown in Fiji in August.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
17 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Sam Kerr set to start season with Chelsea, opens up on her aims after long injury lay-off
Sam Kerr has vowed to return to the top of the goalscoring lists in England as the Matildas captain prepares for a playing comeback more than 18 months in the making. The superstar striker is set to start the new Women's Super League season with Chelsea next month having recovered from the ACL injury she suffered during a training camp in January 2024. She's just one goal short of reaching 100 for her club, having scored 99 before being cut down with injury. It's been a protracted rehab that has kept her away from national duties, but her comeback looms as crucial for the Asian Cup chances of the Matildas when the tournament is played in Australia next March. Speaking with Chelsea media at a training camp in the Netherlands, Kerr expressed her strong desire to do what she has always done when she gets back on the pitch. 'My contribution is goals; it's as simple as that,' she said. 'For the last however many years, I've been within the top goalscorers, if not the top goalscorer in the team, and that's where I want to come back to. I've got high expectations of myself. 'I have a lot of confidence in my ability, so the contribution for me is straightforward. It's goals. That's what I'm here to do, and that's what I normally do, so there's no reason why I can't do it again.' In what was her first interview since returning to training, Kerr said she had been 'alone a lot' during her recovery, having also become a mother during her lay-off. 'During an injury, you're alone a lot,' Kerr said. 'So it's good to be back with the girls, just doing the same training sessions as them rather than solitary rehab sessions. Being in camp like this helps you get to know all the new faces. 'It's nice to be back with the girls, back on the pitch, and I'm excited. I'm most looking forward to being out there, scoring goals and having fun. Getting back to normal and being with the team is great, too.' Kerr will have a familiar face on her team when she returns to action after Chelsea signed her Matildas teammate Ellie Carpenter, whom she has helped settle into the club and life in London. 'I've felt at home at Chelsea regardless of whether there was another Aussie here or not, but it's nice to have someone to chat to about things from home that maybe the other girls would have no idea about,' she said. 'She's a great player and a great athlete. 'Chelsea's about winning, so I think everything we do here is about winning – from the standards at the training ground to what we do on the pitch. When you come to a club like Chelsea, sometimes that can be a culture shock. 'With new players, it's just about guiding them, but honestly, when I came here, I enjoyed it straight away because people just made me feel welcome and comfortable. With my personality and who I am as a leader, my role is to make the girls feel the same way and make sure they're enjoying themselves. 'People can perform at their very best when they're happy, comfortable and feel a part of the team.'
Daily Telegraph
22 minutes ago
- Daily Telegraph
Dayne Zorko signs new Lions deal ahead of 300th AFL game
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Brisbane stalwart Dayne Zorko will remain with the Lions for at least another season after signing a new one-year deal with the AFL premiers. Zorko, who will make his 300th AFL appearance in Sunday night's clash between the Lions and Hawthorn at the Gabba, said it was 'amazing to re-sign' with Brisbane. 'I am thankful for the club for giving me the opportunity to continue my career,' the 36-year-old defender said. 'To have gone through some lean years early days and now be able to still be playing when we are playing finals makes it all worthwhile, and I wouldn't change it for the world. 'The rest of this season and next year is about leaving this club in great shape for whenever I do retire, and that includes educating others and offering my experience.' Zorko said the despite his age, he still also had plenty to offer on the field. 'Age is something I have never really thought of,' Zorko said. 'People tell me about my age all the time and it has no significance to me whatsoever, but I feel good and that's all I am worried about. 'I am proud that I am still able to contribute to this team, and being able to help guide this young list is great and keeps me young.' Zorko made his AFL debut for the Lions in 2012, and captained the club from May 2018 until the end of the 2022 season. He has twice earned All-Australian honours and has won the Merrett-Murray Medal, which is awarded to Brisbane's player of the season, five times. Originally published as Brisbane's Dayne Zorko to extend his AFL career by at least another year
Herald Sun
2 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Proteas spinner Subrayen reported for suspect action in Cairns ODI
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News. South African spinner Prenelan Subrayen has been reported for a suspect in his team's opening ODI win against Australia in Cairns putting his place in the remaining two matches in jeopardy. It's the third time the off-spinner has been reported after his action was first deemed suspect more than a decade ago in 2012. The 31-year-old, who was making his ODI debut for South Africa on Tuesday, took the key wicket of Australian opener Travis Head and finished with 1-46 in his 10 overs. But post-match, officials were concerned about the legality of his bowling action. Subrayen will now have to face an independent assessment of his action at an ICC-accredited testing facility within 14 days. But under ICC rules, he is allowed to continue to bowl until the results of the tests are confirmed. The South Africans have already lost star paceman Kagiso Rabada to injury with two more games to be played in Mackay on Friday and Sunday. Prenelan Subrayen celebrates taking Travis Head's wicket. Picture: Saeed Khan / AFP Subrayen made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo this year despite long-time scrutiny over his action. Tests showed his action was illegal as far back as 2012, but he was cleared to bowl again in January 2013 after retesting. He was them reported twice the following two years during matches before he was eventually cleared to resume bowling in March 2016. Australian spinner Adam Zampa also featured in the umpires' report after the match in Cairns. He was reprimanded for swearing over a stump microphone. Zampa loses a demerit point on his record and if he loses three more he would face a suspension. Originally published as South African spinner Prenelan Subrayen has been reported for a suspect action in the ODI series against Australia.
