Tyler Wright and Ethan Ewing win at Bells Beach as Australian surfers dominate

Tyler Wright defended her crown in the final at Bells Beach while Ethan Ewing beat Ryan Callinan, winning the title 40 years after his mother did.

Wright dominated another local in World Surf League rankings leader Molly Picklum, as she and Ewing became the first dual Australian champions at Bells since Mick Fanning and Sally Fitzgibbons in 2012.

Wright set the pace in her final against 20-year-old Picklum, laying down back-to-back scores for a combined tally of 16.00. Picklum fell short with a two-wave score of 12.00.

“I didn’t think much of this week ... last year there was so much emotion in it as it took me 12 years to try and get the first one,” Wright said. “It’s moments like these that mean the world to me and to execute this week the way I have, I’m really proud.”

Picklum will remain rankings leader heading into the next event at Margaret River.

A trail-blazer for women’s surfing, Ewing’s late mother Helen Lambert won the title in 1983, splitting a 10-year domination by American surfers. He has spoken of how she was an inspiration for his career.

“It’s been my biggest goal, in my career, to win this as all of my heroes have won this ... including my mum,” Ewing said of Lambert, who passed away when he was six. “It’s an honour to compete here and put my name up there with those, it’s really special.”

The 24-year-old, from Queensland’s Stradbroke Island, was denied last year by eventual champion Filipe Toledo, but took revenge by eliminating the Brazilian in the semi-finals.

Ranked world No 10, Ewing was rewarded for some smart surfing on a marathon day on Tuesday at the famed Victorian surf coast break. He conserved his energy, going for quality over quantity as he picked out the best waves of each heat as he