Broadbeach bowler dominates on home soil for her eighth Open title
BROADBEACH’S Kelsey Cottrell rolled to an incredible eighth Australian Open title in 12 years with a stunning display at her home club on Friday.
Cottrell, 31, partnered Tweed Heads’ Lynsey Clarke, 37, to win the women’s pairs title on the final day of competition at Broadbeach.
It was Cottrell’s eighth piece of Australian Open silverware since 2009, propelling her to tournament Most Valuable Player honours in the process following a nearflawless week.
Cottrell and Clarke edged out fellow national representatives Ellen Ryan and Kristina Krstic 17-10 in the final, just a day after the pair also joined forces to claim the women’s fours title.
“It’s a great feeling in a final to have your lead playing so well. I was seriously running out of toucher spray,” Cottrell said.
“I’m so thrilled to have another win together. We’re best mates, we’ve won one with Lyn’s skipping and now won one with me skipping, so we’re pretty versatile.”
Friday’s win bore similarities to the fours final on the tournament’s penultimate day, where Sam Ferguson, Anne Johns, Clarke and Cottrell upstaged Jamie-Lee Worsnop, Brianna Smith, Ryan and Krstic 12-9.
Cottrell also advanced to the semi-finals in the blue-ribbon singles, solidifying her MVP performance and edging out Australian Jackaroos teammate and blue-ribbon singles winner Natasha Van Eldik for the top honour.
The Australian Open will return to the Gold Coast next year from June 11-24 across 13 host clubs.