International surfer Paige Hareb (NZ) put Australia’s top Pro Junior surfers to the sword at One Mile Point Port Stephens by winning the Billabong Pro Junior Women’s division.
In clean and good quality 1m(3ft) waves Hareb was too strong and took a convincing win in her final.
Paige Hareb won the women’s final, in second place until the half way stage she found an outstanding 9 point ride to take a lead that young 14 year old Sth Coast NSW surfer Tyler Wright (Culburra) was unable to claw back.
“I don’t know where that wave came from, it was easily the best wave in the final and that was really the reason I won. It’s my third Pro Junior win for the season which is great and it will be my last Pro Junior for the season - I’m focusing on the ASP World Qualifying Series in Brazil now so it’s good to finish the pro junior year with a win” said Hareb after the final.
Tyler Wright’s second placing in the final has signicantly improved her rating on the Australasian Pro Junior Series and with one major event remaining at Bells Beach early next month she is a real chance to steal 2nd place on the ratings from Laura Enever.
First place is already secured by Sally Fitzgibbons but second place is up for grabs and it’s important as the top two places on the ratings qualify for the ASP Billabong World Junior Championships which run at Narrabeen early January 2009.
“I feel good coming second as I have plenty of years in the Pro Juniors ahead. I’m aware of the importance of trying to come second in the ratings and it’s something I’ll aim for and work hard at coming into the final event at Bells – I usually surf well at Bells so hopefully I can do it” said Tyler Wright after the final.
