Adrenalised defending champion Isabella Nichols has held her nerve against returning World Surf League great Carissa Moore to join Molly Picklum as the only Australians standing at the Bells Beach season opener.
The Queenslander (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 tour after two years, made the early running.
But the 28-year-old, who had a first-round bye as part of the new Championship Tour (CT) format, picked her moments in a pulsating finale.
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Nichols scored an 8.50-point ride but then fluffed her lines on a second wave (4.50) that seemingly handed the heat to Moore.
But the Australian 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 quarter-final berth in her anticipated competitive return.
“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’ first heat in the ninth day of the competition window after action was abruptly halted after countrywoman and defending world champion Molly Picklum had progressed on Wednesday.
But that suited her fine, given she had barely surfed all week while attempting to manage a swollen knee.
“I tweaked it a couple of days ago, haven’t been surfing at all,” she said.
“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.
“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, Picklum and George Pittar were the last Australians standing at the season opener after men’s defending champion Jack Robinson, Ethan Ewing, Tyler Wright and Steph Gilmore were among the early casualties.
But, after a 90-minute pause in competition, Pittar (15.60) was ousted despite registering three scores of seven or more in his heat against Miguel Pupo (16.77).
The Brazilian took those early hits and found a pair of eight-point rides in the final minutes to progress to the last eight.
Picklum will meet Lakey Peterson for a spot in the semi-finals while Nichols has drawn Caitlin Simmers with competition likely to continue on Friday.