Harrison reaches new best at US Open

BARWON Heads surfer Ellie Harrison has left Huntington Beach with her head held high following a podium finish at one of the World Surfing League’s (WSL) biggest events.

Harrison secured a third-place finish in the WSL Challenger Series’ US Open of Surfing on Monday morning (Sunday afternoon in the United States).

The 18-year-old surfing prodigy made it all the way to the event’s semi-final against American Sawyer Lindblad, following two close victories over Hawaii’s Zoe McDougall (12.66 to 12.34) in the Round of 16 and Spain’s Nadia Erostarbe (10.00 to 9.57) in the quarter-finals.

Harrison took it to the California native, getting things going with a 5.33 ride to begin the heat.

Lindblad responded with a 6.83 to put herself in the lead, before doubling up on a solid 5.93 run.

Harrison answered the call and edged closer to Lindblad’s lead with the best wave of the final, a 7.17, but ultimately fell short by 0.26 to bow out one round short of the final, which Lindblad would ultimately win over Sally Fitzgibbons.

Harrison’s third-place finish was her best placing of the Challenger Series, beating out her previous bests of ninth in the Gold Coast Pro and Ballito Pro.

She also took home 6,085 points for her efforts and now sits in third on the Women’s Qualifying Series standings and 10th on the Challenger Series rankings, five spots short of the Championship Tour qualification line.

“It feels amazing, I’ve worked hard this year, so it feels good to have it pay off,” Harrison said following her quarter-final win at the US Open of Surfing.

“I’m just having fun and it’s good to have the Aussies here cheering me on, it’s good.”

It was Harrison’s first semi-final appearance on the Challenger Series.

The last two Challenger Series events take place in October.

The EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira takes place from October 1-8, before the series is concluded at the Corona Saquarema Pro from October 14-21.