Tilly’s in for the long haul
THE youngest person to win a world surfing title believes her form leading into 2020 could propel her to a second crown.
Gold Coast-based Californian Rachael Tilly will launch her bid for a second title today when the World Surf League’s Women’s Longboard Tour begins with stop one at the Noosa Longboard Open.
Tilly set a new benchmark by winning the tour at 17 and now, at 21, is about to start her eighth season in the WLT.
“I feel really good about 2020,” Tilly said.
“I put a lot of ground work in during 2019 that put me in a lot of good positions. I think that has laid a good foundation for this year.
“I feel confident about the direction of my personal performances but unfortunately surfing is not just about your performance.
“You are also relying on adapting to waves and the unpredictability of the ocean.
“You can never say what is going to happen but I feel like I have done the work I need up until now.”
Tilly was nominated for Bond University’s female sportsperson of the year, won by Millie Boyle, after a successful 2019 when she finished fourth in the world title race.
Tilly claimed third at Noosa, the Galicia Longboard Classic and Longboard Classic New York before finishing fifth at the Taiwan Open World Longboard Championships last year.
She also won the Deus 9foot and Single Invitational Surf Event in Bali.
The 2020 WLT will include three stops, including Noosa, Longboard Classic New York in September and the final in Taiwan in late November.