Mason Ho : photo ASPWorldtour/Karen

    

Rip Curl GromSearch International Final

Bells Beach, Australia
March 20, 2005
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HO & ROBB WIN INTERNATIONAL GROMSEARCH

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 28 March 2005: - - Hawaiian 16-year-old Mason Ho has outclassed Matt Wilkinson (Aus), Jordy Smith (South Africa) and Gian Carlo Zampiere (Brazil) to win the first-ever Rip Curl GromSearch International Final at Bells Beach today.

Mason, who is the son of legend surfer Michael Ho, kickstarted his final campaign with a confident 7.25 ride in the messy Bells Beach swell. Smith all but levelled with Ho when he posted a 7.00 and then eventually took the heat lead when he locked in a 5.00 as his second-wave score.

Wilkinson, the current Under 16 World Champion, and Carlo Zampiere both tried to stamp their authority on the heat, but struggled to get high-scoring waves in the tricky Bells swell. Ho, however, sat patiently at Rincon and picked off the best set wave for a second time, belting his way down the line and posting a heat-high 8.25 score.

Smith stayed in touch for the heat, drawing closer to Ho with a 6.00 and then a 6.25 late in the final. His efforts weren't enough however and his 13.25 two-wave combined score fell short of Ho's 15.50.

Boy's GromSearch International Final Results 1. Mason Ho (Hawaii) 2. Jordy Smith (South Africa) 3. Matt Wilkinson (Australia) 4. Gian Carlo Zampiere (Brazil)

Nikita Robb : photo ASPWorldtour/Karen

The girl's Rip Curl GromSearch International Final was a four-way battle between South African Nikita Robb, Brazilian Bruna Shmitz, USA surfer Lexi Papillion and New Zealander-come temporary Australian Mischa Davis.

Like Smith, her South African team mate, Robb is a great competition surfer destined to have a very bright future. The 16-year-old proved this in the final, easily grabbing first place ahead of Davis, Papillion and Shmitz.

Girl's GromSearch International Final Results
1. Nikita Robb (South Africa)
2. Mischa Davis (Australia)
3. Bruna Shmitz (Brazil)
4. Lexi Papillion (USA)

Jordy Smith : photo ASPWorldtour/Karen

WILKO THE GROM TO BEAT

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 March 2005: - -  Australian Matt Wilkinson has got to be the favourite to win this year's Rip Curl GromSearch International Final at Bells Beach. Matty dominated his heat yesterday, earning a spot in the Final when competition continues.

Coming up against Carl Wright (Aus), Keiren Vanderhelder (NZ) and Rip Curl team mate Garut Widiarta (Ind) in Heat 2, Wilko - the 2004 Rip Curl GromSearch Australian Champion showed his Bells skills from the start, outclassing his challengers in front of a crowded Bells Beach event site.

In Heat 1 Brazilian Gian Carlo Zampiere upset South African supergrom Jordy Smith to earn automatic entry into the Final. Although Smith finished second ahead of Mason Ho (Haw) and Shaun Stevic (Aus), Smith will have to win his 'second-chance round' heat to earn a spot in the Final.

The first heat of Round 2 will feature Wright, Ho and Stevic. Heat 2 will feature Smith, Widiarta and Vanderhelder.

ROUND 2

Heat 1
Carl Wright
Mason Ho
Shaun Stevic

Heat 2
Jordy Smith
Garut Widiarta
Keiren Vanderhelder

[ Final
Gian Carlo Zampiere
Matt Wilkinson
*Heat 1 Winner
*Heat 2 Winner

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