Cedar Leigh-Jones (Avalon, NSW) claimed her second Australian Open of Surfing series event in a week, claiming the Open Women’s division.

Leigh-Jones put on a stellar display of surfing over the course of the final, finding a handful of long running and punchy righthanders that allowed for a multitude of impressive snaps and carves.

Leigh-Jones finished the final with a decent 14.67 two-wave heat total to claim the win ahead of runner-up Molly Picklum (Shelly Beach, NSW) by a narrow 0.24 margin.

“This feels unbelievable. It doesn’t feel real to win two events in a row,” said Cedar Leigh-Jones.

“I knew it was going to be a really tough final against Molly, my sister [Bohdi] and Rosie, so I had to really use priority to my advantage and make my waves count. Thankfully I was able to keep a lead over those guys and hold onto the win.”

Cooper Chapman (Narrabeen, NSW) notched up an impressive victory in the Men’s division thanks to a light-footed approach that allowed him to fly over dead sections with ease and flow.

Chapman linked together a chain of beautiful snaps to get the victory with an impressive 15.33 two-wave heat total to sneak ahead of fellow Narrabeen surfer Dylan Moffat who claimed second place.

Fellow finalists Sheldon Simkus (Tweed Heads, NSW) and Chris Zaffis (Angourie, NSW) both put on valiant performances but were unable to find the high-scores needed to usurp Chapman from the top spot.

“It’s been a long time between drinks for me and winning an event,” said Chapman.

“I just wanted to try and stay busy over the course of the final and get those waves that ran right along the bank and fortunately I got a few early in the heat. I got a little nervous when Dylan got a wave in the final minute, but thankfully it went my way.”

RESULTS AND PRIZEMONEY

Open Women

1 – Cedar Leigh-Jones (Avalon, NSW) $1500

2 – Molly Picklum (Shelly Beach, NSW) $900

3 – Rosie Smart (Sawtell, NSW) $600

4 – Bodhi Leigh-Jones (Avalon, NSW) $500

Open Men

1 – Cooper Chapman (Narrabeen, NSW) – $1500

2 – Dylan Moffat (Narrabeen, NSW) $900

3 – Sheldon Simkus (Tweed Heads, NSW) $600

4 – Chris Zaffis (Angourie, NSW) $500