Israeli Anat Lelior rides high in Tahiti Pro final

Israeli surfer Anat Lelior, in her debut World Surf League women’s championship season, reached her first final – the Tahiti Pro – last week, after beating Aussie Sally Fitzgibbons, world number one Gabriela Bryan of America, local Kelia Gallina, and Portugal’s Yolanda Hopkins.

And while she was edged 17.20 points to 16.33 in an epic final by Canadian Erin Brooks, Lelior still created Israeli surfing history.

Far from being daunted by facing Bryan in the second round – which may have been the case if they’d gone head-to-head earlier this year – the 26-year-old Tel Aviv native took a positive outlook, embracing the challenge.

Lelior sought the biggest waves, and charged into their impact zone several times, earning valuable points in the challenging conditions to earn a decisive 12.73 to 1.46 victory, after which she told WSL in a beachside interview, “It feels unreal!

“I keep telling Gabriela how big a fan I am of her surfing, and of her commitment to the sport, she said.