Breakthrough for Wrice

After a number of near misses on the comeback trail from injury,  it only made last weekend’s Subway Surf Series victory all the sweeter.

After being handed a wildcard in the World Junior Championships tour event at Kiama earlier this week, Wrice returned in the national series on a mission.

And in small and tricky conditions at Bombo Beach, Wrice nailed a score of 15 to edge out Avoca’s Sandon Whittaker (14.75) in the final.

“It feels amazing to win,” Wrice said.

“I’ve been trying to win a pro junior for some time and came second a few times, so to go one step further feels awesome.

“I tore my meniscus and cartilage and was out of the water for two months and only really returned to surfing last week.”

The 17-year-old is now ranked fifth on the Australiasian junior tour, having finished second at Bells Beach earlier this year.

Wrice overcame Whittaker, even though the Sydney-sider nailed an eight-point ride in the final, producing a chain of backside turns.

However, a flat spell during the 30-minute contest resulted in Whittaker being unable to come up with the necessary score to secure victory.

“My goal was really to move up the rankings, so getting second place finish should do that,” Whittaker said.

“The waves were really tricky out there and unfortunately I couldn’t find a really good back-up score for my eight.

“Still, to finish in the runner-up spot feels amazing.”

Wrice’s success comes as South Coast surfer Sally Fitzgibbons reignited her World Surf League fire with a win at the Margaret River event. Fitzgibbons moved to second on this year’s standings behind Steph Gilmore, after beating South Coast friend and rival Tyler Wright in the final.

Wright is defending champion, winning her first tour crown last year.

Brother Owen Wright is second on the men’s tour in his comeback season from a head injury. Meanwhile, in the girls event at Bombo on Sunday, Mollymook’s Sophia Fulton won with a score of 13.65, with a series of backside snaps delivering a 7.50 point ride.

Fulton overcame Tweed Heads surfer Alyssa Lock, who led for much of the final.

“I’m so stoked to have won,” Fulton said.

“The lineup was definitely tricky, but I knew if I got the best waves of the heat then I could get the score. Alyssa and I have shared a few heats in the past and it definitely feels good to get one over her.”