Devonport/Tasmania( Sunday September 17th/2023): Tasmania’s North Coast delivered on its windy and wild reputation yesterday as East Devonport delivered chunky conditions for competitors in the 2023 Goodstone Group Phantom Coast Classic.
In round one it was East Coast shredder and Tasmanian Junior State Team Coach Dustin Hollick (13.90 points) setting the pace from the get go, narrowly beating North Coast legend Jy Johannesen (13.83 points) with the pair both progressing straight to the quarter finals.
After an uncharacteristic loss in round one, Southerner Rudy Davis bounced back to post a 15.93 point heat total in round two, sending a warning shot across the bow of fellow competitors.
Hollick then lit up the quarter finals with a 15.10 point heat winning total to book his place in the semi finals.
It was former southerner come North Coast local Johannesen who posted the highest heat total of the day in the semi-finals with a 16.33 points to rocket back into contention.
Johannesen (14.57 points) then proved too good in the wild weather to beat Hollick (12.50 points), Benn Richardson (11.10 points) and Rudy Davis (9.54 points) in the Final.
“Conditions were challenging to say the least. There was the forty knot wind, coupled with solid surf and of course some really high quality surfers in the field. I am stoked to get the win, especially here on my adopted home turf having moved up here a while back,” said Johannesen.
In the women’s side of the draw, Josie McCann came out all guns blazing in heat one with a 7.17 point heat total to take down Bo Ellis (5.43 points), Ava Carlton (4 points) and Tasmanian surfing royalty Dara Penfold (2.73 points) . She continued her dominance in the final Women’s heat of the day to take top honours and an early lead in the State Championship.
RESULTS: Full heat results HERE – https://liveheats.com/events/166301
OPEN MEN
- 1st Jy Johannesen
- 2nd Dustin Hollick
- 3rd Benn Richardson
- 4th Rudy Davis
OPEN WOMEN
- 1st Josie McCan
- 2nd Ava Carlton
- 3rd Bo Elli
- 4th Dara Penfold
