Aussie world No.2 Keely Andrew ready to take the tour by storm
SHE’S been overshadowed by the big three of Australian women’s surfing in the past but Keely Andrew has shown she is ready to play a starring role on the world tour.
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- No butts about it. Change has come to womens surfing
- Surfing legend Mick Fanning announces retirement
- New-look Swifts ready to fly
SHE’S been overshadowed by the big three of Australian women’s surfing in the past but Keely Andrew has shown she is ready to play a starring role on the world tour.
The young Australian, who deferred a uni degree in psychology to follow her surfing dream, will take the world No.2 ranking to the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach next month after finishing runner-up to American Lakey Peterson in the world tour opening Roxy Pro.
WRIGHT ON!: Mikey making his mark
SURF WORLD TOUR: Aussies to cheer for
“So much hard work, I feel like I have been working seven years for this win,” said Peterson, who has never won the event previously but finished runner-up to Steph Gilmore last year.
Peterson dominated the finale at Kirra beach on the Gold Coast, beating Andrew 15.67 to 5.67 on Thursday.
BIG GOAL: Van Dijk hoping to drop in on world elite
TEEN TYROS: Callaghan, Marks aiming for the stars
The Sunshine Coast surfer, 23, was appearing in only her second final on the women’s world tour and delighted with the result.
Less happy were world champion Tyler Wright, six-time champion Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons, who entered the season as the top three surfers in the world.
Wright and Gilmore bowed out before the semi-finals while Andrew knocked out Fitzgibbons in a low-scoring semi-final.
NEW WORLD ORDER: Winds of change blowing hard in this sport
INSPIRATION: What has Steph Gilmore fired up
Andrew said prior to the fall she wanted to “step things up” in 2018 after learning from the highs and loses of her first season on tour in 2017.