Pair soar at Mandurah Pro

Margaret River surfers reigned at the State’s leading competition at the Mandurah Pro this week, with Cyrus Cox claiming the men’s title and Mia McCarthy winning out against the women.

The victories were maiden wins for the pair in this year’s World Surf League qualifying series and will catapult them into further contention, with the contest shifting to Yallingup yesterday.

For Cox, Tuesday’s win was the biggest of his career after he took down Callum Robson in a gripping 30-minute final.

Using his forehand attack with pace and precision, Cox put himself on the best waves in the final to drop the day’s biggest scores.

An excellent 8.50 (from a possible 10) and a back-up 7.40 saw Cox post an imposing total of 15.90 that Robson struggled to overcome.

In the best conditions during the event at Avalon Point, McCarthy surged through on long and reeling 3-4ft left-breaking waves to defeat ex-WA powerhouse Mikaela Greene on a buzzer-beating last wave.

The victory propelled McCarthy to her first QS win thanks to an array of powerful backhand manoeuvres, which saw her post a game-changing 7.65 with just moments to spare.

Needing a 7.20 before taking off, McCarthy threw up three amazing turns to get the score required and the win ahead of Greene by just 0.45.

“I couldn’t be happier right now,” she said during the event wrap. “It was awesome to share the final with Mikaela. She’s such a good surfer and a really good friend. I was just really lucky to get my chance at the end of the heat, and with waves like we had today, I knew I could get a score if I found the right one.”

Cox thanked his father and fellow competitor Luke Campbell for their support. “It’s always good to get some waves, especially for the finals,” he said.

“This is the best Avalon I’ve ever surfed. This win gives me great confidence going into the Yallingup event later this week.”

Former Yalls surfer Greene — who has mixed surfing with time on television this year — was philosophical about missing out, but she said she was excited to return to her former home ground for this weekend’s Yallingup event.

“Mia just pipped me on the last wave,” she said.

“I could see it was going to be amazing, but she had priority. It was a great event and congratulations to Mia.

“She’s a deserving champion.”

The Cape Naturaliste Pro was set to start yesterday.