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Gabriela Bryan goes back to back at Margaret River Pro, local hope Bronte Macaulay eliminated in the semi-finals

Melissa WoodsAAP
Gabriela Bryan has held on the No.1 ranking after winning another Margaret River Pro. (HANDOUT/World Surf League)
Camera IconGabriela Bryan has held on the No.1 ranking after winning another Margaret River Pro. (HANDOUT/World Surf League) Credit: AAP

With Margaret River Pro record-holder Carissa Moore in her corner, Gabriela Bryan has followed in the footsteps of her fellow Hawaiian by winning successive titles in the west.

Five-time world champion Moore won three times at Margaret River, including going back to back in 2013-2014 before adding a third in 2023 before her retirement.

Bryan became the second woman to achieve two consecutive titles in the Championship Tour era, claiming her first last year and then defending in style with a commanding win in the final over Caitlin Simmers on Tuesday.

The victory kept the yellow rankings leader jersey out of the hands of the Californian teenager.

However, it wasn’t enough to stop Australian Isabella Nichols from taking out the Aussie Treble - awarded to the best surfer over the three-stop Australian swing, including Bells and Burleigh Heads.

Bryan revealed before the final that Moore, who became a mother earlier this year, had texted her almost daily with words of encouragement and advice.

The Game AFL 2025

Gabriela Bryan surfs at the Margaret River Pro.
Camera IconGabriela Bryan surfs at the Margaret River Pro. Credit: Beatriz Ryder/World Surf League

They resonated with the 23-year-old who blasted into the final with her power surfing earning a massive score of 9.50, which was her best since making her CT debut in 2019.

Simmers also opened with a strong 7.17 but Bryan was able to top that, giving her a winning total of 17.33 to 12.84.

It’s Bryan’s second title of the year after also winning in El Salvador.

“I’m honestly speechless, I don’t know what to think,” said a beaming Bryan.

“That 9.50 - I turned around and that thing came right at me so I stuck that in.

“I’ve just been surfing how I want to surf and I just can’t believe it.”

Earlier Bryan eliminated local hope Bronte Macaulay in the semi-finals, with the veteran coming out of retirement to take a wildcard for the event.

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