Dion Agius / Nicola Atherton win Wild / Billabong Pro Teen

Dion Agius : photo Robertson/SurfingAustralia.com

FORMER Tasmanian surfer Dion Agius displayed an old head on young shoulders in upstaging world grommet champion Matt Wilkinson to win the Wild Surf Co/Billabong Pro Teen as part of EnergyAustralia Surfest at Newcastle Beach today.

Nineteen-year-old Agius, who moved to Currumbin in Queensland five years ago, used the priority system to full advantage in pipping Wilkinson from Copocabana on the NSW Central Coast.

Agius eked out a 7.5 out of 10 ride half way through the final to sneak ahead in the small but smooth conditions then maintained priority – giving him first choice of the waves - until the dying minutes.

“My tactic was to try to get every wave that was coming through,” explained Agius, the 2003 national schoolboy titleholder.

“I was spewing that I gave priority to Matt in the last few minutes … I just had to sit there and hope no decent waves came through.”

Agius’s prayers were answered and he finished the 25-minute decider 2.05 points ahead.

Sixteen-year-old Wilkinson, however, is still just ahead of Agius in the Australasian junior ratings.

Ben Dunn, from Old Bar on the NSW mid north coast, who was defeated by Agius in the semifinals by less than a point, leads the series from Wilkinson (second) and Agius (third).

Boys Results:
1, Dion Agius
2, Matt Wilkinson
=3, Benn Dunn
=3, Bobby Hanson

Nicola Atherton, 18, upset series leader and fellow Bronte surfer Jessi Miley-Dyer to win the female division of the Pro Teen, which is a prelude to the main event, the EnergyAustralia Open.

It was a rare victory for Atherton over Miley-Dyer, who is also 18, but has tasted success on the senior circuit.

“Jessi and I have shared a friendly rivalry since we were five-years-old but I have always come second to her, so this is just fantastic for me,” Atherton said.

“The way she surfs is a real inspiration to me, so this is my best win so far.”

Girls Results:
1, Nicola Atherton
2, Jessi Miley Dyer
=3, Tara Christie
=3, Lindsay Noyes

Nowra’s Owen Wright won the under-16 boys’ competition and 12-year-old Oscar Scanes from Old Bar took home the under-14 trophy.

Source: Global Surf News

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