Sierra Kerr has won gold at the 2023 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship after a dominating performance in the final.
Kerr defeated Girls U16 competitors Lanea Mons and Eden Walla, both from the USA, and Clemence Schorsch from France.
Kerr told Surfing Australia: “It was slow but I found a few that gave me a good section. It feels so good, been thinking about this comp since last year so I was stoked to win it.
“It has been so fun being with the team and with everyone supporting each other and just having the best time.”
Surfing Australia’s Clancy Dawson, who is coaching the national team, said: “Sierra threw some huge turns and big sections and dominated the final. The whole team jumped in the water in their uniforms and chaired her up the beach. It was an epic moment for her and the team to celebrate.
“We had some super close calls not go our way on finals day, which was frustrating, but we’re super proud of the team. They supported each other and, with the level of surfing they showed, I’ve got full confidence that many of them will go on to have great careers.”
Australia finished fourth overall behind Brazil, the USA and Japan.
Girls U16 Final results:
Sierra Kerr – 14.60 (7.60+7.00)
Lanea Mons – 11.00 (6.23 + 4.77)
Eden Walla – 10.53 (5.43 + 5.10)
Clemence Schorsch – 7.83 (4.83 + 3.00)
Top 10 Teams per country:
Brazil 6125 pts
United States 5920 pts
Japan 5850 pts
Australia 5848 pts
Spain 5708 pts
Portugal 5383 pts
France 5018 pts
Hawaii 4955 pts
Peru 4088 pts
New Zealand 3985 pts
Full results on the ISA event website HERE.
About the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship:
The best junior surfers from every part of the globe will contend for medals in this prestigious event that has proved itself as a direct pathway to the Olympic Games, with Stephanie Gilmore among past ISA World Junior Champions.
2023 Junior Irukandjis team:
U18 Girls
Coco Cairns (Tewantin, QLD)
Jahly Stokes (Buddina, QLD)
Keira Buckpitt (Culburra Beach) *Junior Irukandjis team Captain
U18 Boys
Harley Walters (Angourie, NSW)
Lennix Smith (Barrack Point, NSW) *Junior Irukandjis team Captain
Willis Droomer (Jan Juc, VIC)
U16 Girls
Isla Huppatz (Bilinga, QLD)
Milla Brown (Newport, NSW)
Sierra Kerr (Bilinga, QLD)
U16 Boys
Kash Brown (Cronulla, NSW)
Rico Haybittle (Palm Beach, QLD)
Fletcher Kelleher (Freshwater, NSW)
Participation
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