Nikita Through, Tarryn in 2nd Round

Paige Hareb (NZ) progresses to round three after she and the USA’s Courtney Conologue finished ahead of South Africa’s Tarryn Chudleigh on day 1 of the ASP World Junior Champs, underway at Sydney’s North Narrabeen Beach on 3 January, 2008. Chudleigh now faces an elimination round two, to remain in the competition. Picture: ASP Robertson © Covered Images

Round 1 of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships got underway at Sydney’s North Narrabeen beach on Thursday, which saw top-seeded and 2005 semi-finalist Nikita Robb (East London) place second behind Australia’s Kirby Wright to safely advance to Round 3.

Tarryn Chudleigh (Kommetjie) finished third in her clash with American Courtney Conologue and Paige Hareb (NZL), and will have to negotiate a second round heat to stay in contention for the title, following ASP rules which allow for the first-round third-paced surfer to contest a second round, to avoid being eliminated.

But the two South African’s standings only reflect the quality of their opponents in their respective heats, with their talent demonstrated in both appearing in the top 10 performances on day one, when the heat averages between all surfers are compared.

With only four of the six first-round heats accommodated on day 1, opening heat winners included French surfer Pauline Ado, Conologue, Wright and the day’s top scorer Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS).

The 1.5 metre swell generated by a low-pressure system off Queensland is predicted to continue for the next couple of days and the event is likely to continue tomorrow.

"All the girls were ripping and I didn’t really get off to the start I wanted," Fitzgibbons admitted after struggling to post more than average scoring rides for the first half of the heat. "It was tricky out there, I was just lucky to get that good one at the end."

Wright posted a solid 8.00 point ride, earning her spot in Round 3 while Robb advanced second place and Asako Mizuno (JPN) finishing third, will have to make her way through Round 2.

Also advancing in first place was European Pro Junior champion Pauline Ado (FRA) and Billabong USA Junior Series Champion Courtney Conologue, who defeated Marina Werneck (BRA) and Paige Hareb (NZL) respectively.

A total field of  18 junior women feature in this year’s Billabong ASP World Junior Championships, and those having progressed to the following round of heats will anxiously await the next call at 07h30 local time on Friday morning.