‘Proud grandmother’ Layne Beachley touched by Tyler Wright’s rise to the top of world surfing
SEVEN-time world champion Layne Beachley says she feels like a “proud grandmother” after watching a youngster, whose career she helped launch back in 2008, become Australia’s latest world surfing champion.
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SEVEN-time world champion Layne Beachley says she feels like a “proud grandmother” after watching a youngster — whose career she helped launch back in 2008 — become Australia’s latest world surfing champion.
Beachley stayed up into the early hours of yesterday morning to witness Tyler Wright win the world title in the Roxy Pro in France.
Eight years ago to the day, Beachley handed Wright a $20,000 cheque after the then 14-year-old won the Layne Beachley Classic at Queenscliff on Sydney’s northern beaches. That day Wright became the youngest surfer to win a world tour event.
Beachley said she was proud and inspired as Wright overcame an uncle’s death and her brother’s long recovery from a head injury suffered at Pipeline.
“It was inspiring and beautiful to watch. She just went out there in the final to let Owen know how much she loved him,” Beachley said.
Wright secured the world title at the Roxy Pro France when US rival Courtney Collogue lost in the semi-final to world champion Carissa Moore, who defeated Wright in the final. Beachley said she was astounded when Wright declared publicly she was going after the world crown and sent her an email asking her about it.
“She said she felt like she had to get out of her own way and deal with the adversity of what happened with Owen in a positive way,” she said.
At just 22, Wright is in a prime position to win the first Olympic surfing gold when the sport makes its Games debut in Tokyo in 2020.
“It was also lovely seeing Steph Gilmore rush down to congratulate her,” Beachley said.
Gilmore carried Wright out of the Sydney surf when she was beaten by the precocious teenager in the Layne Beachley Classic eight years ago.
Matildas loss rugby’s gain as teens help Aussies end long Sevens drought
Grit, a fighting spirit and a pair of young guns - including one that was touted as a future Matilda - have helped Australia end a seven-year-long drought in rugby sevens.
NRLW gun Keeley Davis keeping close tabs on future teammates – and rivals
She is one of the pioneers of NRLW but now this rugby league talent is playing a hand in the development of her future teammates - and potential rivals.