SANZ Challenge

South Africa vs New Zealand
Papenoo Beach break, Tahiti
Saturday December 5, 2004

SA Junior surfers beat New Zealand in SANZ Challenge in Tahiti

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 05 December 2004: - - The 2004 SA Junior Team beat New Zealand by 8900 points to 8400 in the annual pre ISA World Junior Championships, SANZ Challenge held at Papenoo Beachbreak in Tahiti, Saturday (December 4).

This traditional encounter between the South Africans and New Zealanders was initiated prior to the ISA World Junior Championships in Durban last year and will take place between the two nations prior to every World Junior championships in future.

The teams competed for the unique SANZ Trophy which is made from a combination of indigenous elements from each country.

South Africa's victory in Tahiti is sweet revenge for last years defeat by the New Zealanders at the Bay of Plenty in Durban and boosted the South African's confidence prior to the 2004 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championships, which will get under way at the same venue later today (Sunday December 5).

The SANZ challenge was held in small inconsistent surf, generally deteriorating conditions and a fast disappearing beach and consequently the "tag team" event was not held. Points were allocated according to positions achieved by the competitors in the three divisions and South Africa's domination of the finals gave them a fairly easy win over the Kiwis.

South African team captain Damien Fahrenfort of Kommetjie underlined his experience to win the Under 18 final with experienced Durban surfer, Josh Redman finishing in the runner up spot. Third and fourth place were filled by New Zealanders.

Jordy Smith, the defending Under 16 ISA World Champion, beat Durban teammates Rudy Palmboom and Josch Schmeltzer and a New Zealand surfer in the Under 16 final while Rosanne Hodge of East London was second behind the New Zealand top seed in the Under 18 Girls division.

Team coach Howie Gold was a happy man after the event and was full of praise for his charges. "I am very proud of our performance. We started off slowly and finished very hard. These kids want to win." he said before leaving for the airport to fetch team manager Cecil Solomon, who was unable to leave with the team last Monday due to a family bereavement.

The SANZ victory comes just a day before the start of the 2004 ISA World Junior Championships which features 30 countries from all over the world. South Africa is seeded fourth behind champions Brazil, Australia and ironically, New Zealand.

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Robin de Kock
Surfing South Africa

Life's a Beach Communications
lifesabeach@mweb.co.za

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