And I got my first 9! It’s just perfect.” In her post-contest interview, Leal said, “I’m really happy.
That left Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Leal to take the acclaim of the crowd before her final attempt and, while she was unable to land it, she was already in celebratory mode. Heyn also landed a strong last trick which meant she was able to drop her line attempt score and take the third spot on the podium. Momiji needed to land her final trick to post four scores in the competition, and did so to go into second place. The 13-year-old Australian only had three scores going into her final attempt, and fell once again to leave her down in sixth place. Leal responded with a kick flip front board for 8.5 which left her on an imposing total of 31.9, and Covell - who had won the two previous rounds in Tokyo and Sydney - missed her third and fourth trick attempts to leave her out of contention for the win.
The 15-year-old local hero extended her lead with an 8.0 on her first trick attempt, but Nishiya exerted some pressure with a big Smith front board for 8.8.
