BRONTE KEEN T O MAKE THE CUT
AFTER two years on the world tour, Bronte Macaulay is finally finding her feet.
A third- place finish in the last event in France proved the Western Australian surfer can mix it with the best.
But poor results earlier in the season mean Macaulay may not requalify for next year’s women’s world tour.
So instead of taking time off ahead of the final event of the tour in Maui later this month, Macaulay has returned to Australia for this weekend’s crucial Port Stephens Toyota Pro.
“I know I need to get a result here to requalify but it’s pretty close between eight or nine girls on the qualifying series,’’ said Macaulay, whose father Dave was also a professional surfer.
“I think a third or better and I am hopefully in.’’
Macaulay is ranked 16th on the world tour, where only the top 10 women will automatically requalify for 2019, meaning she must be in the top six on the world qualifying series to guarantee a spot.
The importance of the Port Stephens event, the final qualifying event for female surfers this year, has attracted a top- class field that includes Aussie Nikki Van Dijk and Americans Sage Erickson and Malia Manuel. Absent however is Australian Keely Andrew, who is still recovering from a serious leg injury sustained when her board hit her on the back of her knee.