French twist as Defay conquers tricky surf

FRENCHWOMAN Johanne Defay has laid the perfect foundation for next month’s Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast by surging to victory in Newcastle.

Taking on Kiwi Paige Hareb in the final at Merewether Beach, 2016 Fiji Pro winner Defay nailed the two best waves of the heat to register a combined score of 16.73.

“I feel so great with this win,” Defay said.

“The waves were tricky today so I had to be really on to where the waves were.

“I have never won a QS (Qualifying Series) event before so to win the first one of the season is amazing.

“I have had a few close calls with requalifying in the past so this result will mean I can relax a little. I feel really comfortable in Newcastle and always enjoy it, now it is more special to me.”

Defay had earlier dispatched the last-standing Aussie, Macy Callaghan, by a mere 1.11 points in a tight semi-final.

Callaghan had trumped Sally Fitzgibbons on her way to the last four.

It was a similar story for the Australian contingent on the men’s side of the draw as Mitch Coleborn fell in the semi-finals to eventual champion Yago Dora of Brazil.

Dora only just snuck by Coleborn 12.94 to 12.27 – helped by a wave score of 7.67 that raised the eyebrows of commentators – before producing his best in the final.

He first pieced together an 8.83 score before delivering the only perfect 10-point ride of the competition to put himself in the box seat against countryman Jesse Mendes (9.27).

“I don’t think it has really sunk in yet,” Dora said.

“Having that final with Jesse was funny because the last time we surfed against each other he smashed me so it was awesome to get one back on him, he is a really good friend. This was the most focused I have been for an event.”