Keely Andrew wants to ring surf’s famous bell at Rip Curl Pro
SHE will go into the annual world tour event at Bells Beach as the top ranked Australian woman but it’s not who you would expect it to be.
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SHE will go into the annual world tour event at Bells Beach as the top ranked Australian woman but it’s not who you would expect it to be.
Even Keely Andrew admits she is in uncharted waters as she prepares for the second leg of the women’s world surfing tour, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
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“I’ve never had such a high ranking, number two is the highest ranking I have ever had,” said the Sunshine Coast surfer who finished second to American Lakey Peterson in the finale of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast a week ago.
Andrew described her runner-up finish in the world tour opener as “surreal” but a position she hopes to repeat, or even better, again in 2018.
“I’ve had two years of learning on the world tour now,” she said.
“I really wanted to lift my game this year. To start the year in the right direction.
“I did say to myself it’s time to step up.”
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In recent years Tyler Wright, Sally Fitzgibbons and Stephen Gilmore have worn the No.1 jersey into most world tour events.
All three have the chance to nab it back from Peterson with a top performance at one of the most popular events on the world tour which could start as early as next Thursday.
Fellow Sunshine Coast surfer Julian Wilson will wear the No.1 ranking on his back at Bells following his courageous win at the Quiksilver Pro.
For the second event in a row, Kelly Slater will be absent with injury.
Originally published as Keely Andrew wants to ring surf’s famous bell at Rip Curl Pro
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