Lelior earns dream spot in surfing’s world tour
Anat Lelior has become the first Israeli to qualify for World Surfing League's Championship Tour.
When 25-year-old Israeli Anat Lelior completed her debut World Surf League (WSL) women’s Challenger Series season at Newcastle’s spectacular Merewether Beach on March 22, there was a magical moment when officials confirmed she’d earned enough points to achieve a once unthinkable dream – to become the first Israeli to qualify for the WSL Championship Tour.
Joyous tears began to flow, as she hugged her support crew, and could not stop smiling.
From April 3, she will be surfing at Victoria’s world famous Bells Beach in the opening round, as one of the top 24 ranked women’s surfers in the world.
In a WSL press conference on Merewether Beach’s boardwalk, Lelior revealed how at first she “hadn’t completely understood” that she’d qualified, as her Round of 16 exit and ninth placing at the Newcastle Surfest meant that it went down to how other surfers went in the semis and final.
“I can’t believe it – this is unreal!” Lelior said, barely able to hold back more tears.
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