Defending champion Isabella Nichols has held her nerve against surfing great Carissa Moore to join Molly Picklum as the only Australians left standing at Bells Beach.
Nichols (16.27 points) was patient in quiet conditions at Winkipop on Thursday as five-time world champion and new mother Moore (15.07) — back on the World Surf League tour after two years — made the early running at the season-opener.
But Nichols, who had a first-round bye as part of the new Championship Tour format, picked her moments in a pulsating finale.
She scored an 8.50-point ride but then faltered on a second wave (4.50) to seemingly hand the heat to Moore.
But Nichols surged clear with a powerful 7.77-point effort in the final minutes.
That was the first of a two-wave set. Moore caught the latter and scored 7.90 in a mesmerising exchange to fall just short of a quarterfinal berth in the American’s anticipated competitive return.
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“It was full throttle, 100 per cent … you know you can’t make mistakes, especially with how slow it was out there,” Nichols said of the relatively placid conditions.
“You have to pick the right waves … I find it quite enjoyable, like a chess match.
“She’s [Moore] my idol. What she’s done, having a baby and coming back, is just so inspiring and she’s freaking ripping, so props to her.”
It was Nichols’s first heat in the ninth day of the competition window at Bells Beach.
Competition was abruptly halted after defending world champion Picklum progressed on Wednesday.
“I was a little bit concerned, it felt awkward and was thankful we got called off yesterday … it was meant to be and I took it as a sign,” Nichols said.
“Adrenaline is a wild thing, I’m sure I’ll feel something this afternoon but it’s all go from here.
“I know I can push it to the limit, so bring it on.”
Nichols has drawn Caitlin Simmers in the quarterfinals, with competition likely to continue on Friday.
Picklum will meet Lakey Peterson for a spot in the semifinals.
AAP