2006 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships

International Surfing Association
Maresias, Brazil.
6 - 14 May 2006

Webcast   |   Scores/Results/Photos etc

Mason Is Last Kiwi Standing in Qualifying Rounds

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 11 May, 2006 : - - Airini Mason (Gis) is the sole Rip Curl New Zealand Junior Surfing Team member to be remaining in the qualifying rounds at the Quiksilver International Surfing Association (ISA) World Junior Surfing Championships.  Mason, who surfed against fellow team mate Mischa Davis (Piha) placed second in her heat behind talented French surfer Annabel Talouam. 

Mason now moves through to the final twelve surfers in the under 18 girls division.  A further nine of Mason’s team mates remain in the event taking the ‘hard road’ to victory through the repercharge rounds.  The surf remained in the 1.0m – 1.5m range.

Richard Christie (Gis) fought hard in his qualifying round to finish a close third in his heat.  After holding down second place until the dying minutes, a last ditch effort by American Trevor Sanders saw Christie pipped by what New Zealand team management were calling a generous score for the American. 

Christie is now relegated to the repercharge rounds where he will need to surf well if he wishes to beat his 8th placing achieved in 2005. Both Tim O’Connor (Mnt) and Billy Stairmand posted heat wins in their repercharge round and will need to progress through another round overnight (Thursday) to meet up with Christie in Repercahrge Round 4. 

Unfortunately Kierin Van Der Helder (Rag) succumbed to the tough competition and an injured ankle in his heat when he placed fourth.  In a low scoring heat, Van Der Helder was in the hunt for progression for the entire 20 minutes. “It is unfortunate to lose Kierin at this early stage but he has done well considering his injury and the fact that we didn’t think he would be able to surf in the event only six days ago” commented team manager Bruce Scott.

Paco Divers (Sandy Bay) could not repeat his triumphs from day 3 and finished fourth in the highest scoring heat of the under 16 qualifying round 3.  Divers now meets team mate Ryan Hawker (Piha) in the repercharge rounds where they will face Kento Takahashi (Jpn) and Kalohe Andino (USA).  Hawker surfed to a score of 13.43 in his earlier round to confidently progress in first place. 

Sean Peggs (Tai) also moved through the round placing second to the highest scorer of the day – Tyler Newton (Haw).  Rip Curl New Zealand team coach Larry Fisher commented “the under 16 boys are getting over the early nerves and starting to surf with confidence.  Ryan Hawker has looked particularly strong in his heats which is very encouraging”.

Day five will see all surfers back in the water in what will be a telling day for the team in terms of personal goals and team points.  A good day at the office will see the Rip Curl New Zealand team surpass many of the results achieved in 2005 and that will go a long way to helping them jump up the world ratings from the seventh placing where they currently stand. 

The event takes place from the 6th – 14th of May at Maresias Beach, Brazil.  The twelve-strong team are aiming to better their seventh placing they achieved last year when the event was held at Huntington Beach, California, USA.

The World Junior Surfing Championships is an annual event having been held since 2003.  New Zealand has competed at the event since its inception as well as competing at the World Grommet Titles as it was formerly known since 1989. 

New Zealand has been one of the top nations at each event with Jay Quinn (Gis) securing New Zealand’s first World Championship in the Under 18 Men’s division in 2001.  New Zealand has placed 7th at the last two World Junior Championships.  A record twenty seven countries will compete at the event in 2006.

www.surfingnz.co.nz

Team New Zealand reports
# 1 : New Zealand Juniors set to take on the world in Brazil
# 2 : Captain Christie leads the way for team New Zealand
# 3 : Divers through to U16 last 24 for team NZ at ISA WJSC
# 4 : Mason last Kiwi standing in qualifying rounds of WJSC

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Ben Kennings
benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz

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