A full day of action locked in finals day matchups at the World Surf League (WSL) World Junior Championships that runs from 9-14 January 2024.
Competitors flourished in the clean conditions to showcase their high-performance capabilities with the women’s Round of 16 and quarterfinals completed. Now, the WSL World Junior Women’s Champion awaits crowning when competition resumes for its final day.
The event came to an end for South Africa’s last hope Louise Lepront as she was beaten by championship favourite Bella Kenworthy in the round of 16 on Friday.
Later on in the day an all-Southern California quarterfinal dual provided a showdown featuring Malibu, California’s Tania Swindal, against her friend, San Clemente’s own Kenworthy.
The two battled in the tougher, low tide conditions with Swindal holding the lead heading into the final 10 minutes before unleashing her powerful forehand to accrue an excellent 8.17. Swindal then closed the door on her opponent with a 7.33 and held firm to earn her place in the semifinals.
“I found my rhythm in that heat and felt really connected to the ocean,” said Swindal. “This board is pretty new and I’ve been riding it every day of the event, and it works amazing.
“I was really stoked for that heat to surf against Bella [Kenworthy]. She’s one of my best friends, so it was tough, but also I love surfing against her, because she pushes me to my best.”
USA’s World Junior Champs Semi-Finalist, Talia Swindal
Adding their names to the Semifinal draw, an in-form Sol Aguirre (Peru) overcame young phenom Erin Brooks (Canada), before current North America Qualifying Series (QS) number one Zoe Benedetto (USA) eliminated 2023 Europe Regional Pro Junior victor Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (Euskadi), to keep her World Junior Championships debut intact.
World Junior Championships Women’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Erin Brooks (CAN) 13.83 DEF. Noah Klapp (DEU) 5.63
HEAT 2: Sol Aguirre (PER) 13.23 DEF. Eweleiula Wong (HAW) 11.33
HEAT 3: Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 15.67 DEF. Ellie Harrison (AUS) 14.13
HEAT 4: Zoe Benedetto (USA) 11.84 DEF. Nora Liotta (HAW) 10.87
HEAT 5: Sierra Kerr (AUS) 15.17 DEF. Keira Buckpitt (AUS) 10.17
HEAT 6: Laura Raupp (BRA) 14.60 DEF. Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN) 10.33
HEAT 7: Bella Kenworthy (USA) 12.83 DEF. Louise Lepront (RSA) 9.77
HEAT 8: Talia Swindal (USA) 14.50 DEF. Zahli Kelly (AUS) 12.76
World Junior Championships Women’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Sol Aguirre (PER) 11.27 DEF. Erin Brooks (CAN) 11.10
HEAT 2: Zoe Benedetto (USA) 10.67 DEF. Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 9.86
HEAT 3: Sierra Kerr (AUS) 17.54 DEF. Laura Raupp (BRA) 12.50
HEAT 4: Talia Swindal (USA) 15.50 DEF. Bella Kenworthy (USA) 7.57
Semifinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Sol Aguirre (PER) vs. Zoe Benedetto (USA)
HEAT 2: Sierra Kerr (AUS) vs. Talia Swindal (USA)
Main Photo Caption: The United States’ Bella Kenworthy beat South Africa’s Louise Lepront in the elimination Round of 16, at the 2023 Sambazon World Junior Championships on January 12, 2024 at San Diego, California, on Friday, 12 January, 2024. Photo: Kenny Morris/World Surf League
Photo 2 caption: The United States’ Bella Kenworthy lost to compatriot Taila Swindal in the Quarter-Finals round that followed, where she will face Australia’s Sierra Kerr, and compatriot Zoe Benedetto will face Peru’s Sol Aguirre, in the tournament’s semi-finals on the final day of competition at the 2023 Sambazon World Junior Championships, on 12 January, 2024, at San Diego, California. Photo: Kenny Morris/World Surf League
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