MELBOURNE, March 5 — The unpredictability of the notorious Yarra River that dissects Melbourne today took its toll on the first final of the Moomba Masters 2015 water ski championships, the girls under-17, and top-seeded Malaysian Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah came undone.

Aaliyah, 11, failed early in her hand pass and tumbled down the points ladder from the top that she scored in round one yesterday to fifth today.

But her combined scores from the two days held up to place Aaliyah on the podium, where she finished runner-up to her close friend Tayla Simmonds, of Australia, who is also closest to her in age at 12.

Third was Alejandra de Osma, 16, of Peru.

All eight finalists failed on at least one pass, and the eventual overall winner came down to a lottery as to where and when each failed in her two passes: the hand and the toe.

“Conditions were far from ideal due to the high water level of the Yarra and strong outgoing current,” said father cum coach Hanifah Yoong Yin Fah of the 8am start under chilly conditions, “but it was the same for every skier. Just that it wasn’t to be Aaliyah’s turn yet (to win).”

Aaliyah also finished second in the same event last year.

Said Aaliyah: “The rollers were huge and I should have calmed down. But this can happen for anyone.

“I am so happy to see Tayla win it though.

“Now I just have to focus on the Open women tricks and go for a PB (personal best) and see if the Asian record of 6,280 points is possible.”

The judges in round one yesterday scored Aaliyah at 6,060 points, the highest she has scored on the Yarra since her 5,920 PB in the same event last year.

Tayla, who also failed in her hand run this morning, top-scored today at 5,640 points.

“Aaliyah has to put this disappointment behind her as it is just a step back for another two steps forward, which relieves her of unnecessary pressure,” said Hanifah of her daughter, who has been skiing competitively since she was six.

After a rest day tomorrow, Aaliyah will look to make amends in the Open women tricks event for which she has been invited to take part, which starts at 11am on Saturday.