Surfing: Williams eyes progress

Ella Williams of Whangamata has won the 2013 Women's ASP World Junior Title as a last minute alternate. Photo / Daniel Smorigo

Whangamata's Ella Williams says winning the 2013 Women's ASP World Junior Title is a dream come true.

The 18-year-old beat Kauai's Tatiana Weston-Webb in a hard-fought final to win the coveted title at Joaquina Beach in Florianopolis, Brazil on Sunday morning (NZ time).

"This is like a dream," Williams said after her spectacular win.

"I've worked really hard to get here and for it to pay off was amazing.

"I was pretty lucky to get in to the competition and anything was just a bonus for me. This is really just amazing.

"Getting in to the top round of the QS events is such a fantastic help for myself and I hope to do well and progress next year."

Williams' victory places her name among some of the sport's finest female talent, with past winners including the likes of ASP Women's World Championship Tour standouts Sally Fitzgibbons, Pauline Ado and Laura Enever.

The win also earns her a spot in the HD World Junior Championships and a seed into the round of 60 for all ASP Women's 6-Star events for 2014, potentially fast-tracking her chances of qualifying for the elite ASP Top 17.

Williams flew under the radar for much of the competition, quietly navigating her way through to a semifinal in which she tipped over highly rated French competitor Johanne Defay.

That put her through to the final where she locked in two lefthanders in the back half of the match-up to secure the victory.

Weston-Webb, who was born in Brazil but moved to Hawaii as a child, was philosophical after finishing runner-up despite dominating in the heats.

"I'm really happy for Ella," said Weston-Webb.

"I love to watch my friends win and having my family here for this competition is amazing and I'm sad to let them down."

Women's HD World Junior Championships

Final: Ella Williams (NZL) 11.97 def. Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 9.23

Semifinal: Ella Williams (NZL) 10.34 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 10.06

Quarter-final: Ella Williams (NZL) 9.67 def. Mahina Maeda (HAW) 8.83