South Africa’s top-rated surfer Rosy Hodge was unexpectedly dumped out of the 5-star Midori Pro at Merewether Beach, in New South Wales, after her two best waves scored a 5.9 and failed to impress the judges, who adjudged the USA’s Kim Mayer best at 8.93, followed by Australia’s Laurina McGrath’s 7.77.
Hodge came third in her heat, her first taste of competition since participating in her first premier ASP World Tour Roxy Pro event a week ago, after she qualified for early stage byes due to her world-class rating.
South Africa’s Tammy Lee Smith and Nikita Robb kept South Africa’s hopes alive by progressing to Thursday’s round four, when both girls placed second in their respective heats.
Nikita Robb faired better of the two on the day, her best two waves combined for a convincing 8.83 to beat off Brazil’s Suelen Naraisa and Australian Sally Fitzgibbons. Nikita’s best efforts paled in comparison to 19-year old Australian Stephanie Gilmore, who top-scored with an outstanding 18.6.
Tammy Lee Smith was fortunate to progress, when her 4.97 bettered World Tour Hawaiian Megan Abubo’s disappointing 4.07, who placed above Australia’s Kira Townsend, who could only manage 3.74. Home girl Lyndsay Noyes topped the heat convincingly with a score of 9.50.
The two South Africans now enter the fourth round of 24, with Nikita taking on Australians Amee Donohue, Serena Brooke and Kim Wooldridge, while Tammy Lee goes up against the USA’s Holly Beck and home girls Nicola Atherton and Jessi Miley-Dyer.
All the action is available online at the Midori Pro surf event website.
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
