|
Kiwi Surfers Break Into Top 50 |
|
Written by Ben Kennings
|
|
Tuesday, 10 May 2011 |
 |
|
Paige Hareb - Image ASP / Hayden - Smith
|
New Zealandsurfing hit unprecedented territory this week after the most recently updated ASP World Rankings see’s two surfers inside the top 50 in the world.
Despite average results at the latest Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro held in California, Billy
Stairmand has continued his rise up the rankings to now sit in 43rd while
Richard Christie sits in 49th.
Stairmand is now nine places outside qualification for the prestigious World
Title events with the August cut off point looming.
Jay Quinn also jumps one place to 74th on the ratings.
The three surfers who generally travel the world together have each taken separate
paths in the lead up to the next event.
Stairmand continued on from California to
Brazil
where the next two prime rated events are being held. Christie has returned home to New Zealand for the break and some autumn waves while
Quinn only made it to Australia
before he will head back to Brazil.
The first of two Brazilian events start on the 24th of May. The guys then head to Portugal and South Africa on their qualification
mission.
Paige Hareb meanwhile continues her run on the Women’s World Tour hoping to
jump up the rankings from twelfth place this week when she competes at the
Billabong Pro in Rio. Hareb held her ranking of twelfth last week
after placing ninth at the Beachley Classic in Sydney.
She needs to place inside the top ten to automatically qualify for the
2012 World Tour and a good result this week will go along way to helping her
cause with only three events remaining.
Hareb is also ranked fifth on the Women’s World Qualifying Series where she
needs to finish inside the top six to requalify for the 2012 Tour with four
events remaining.
|
