Phytoplankter knocks speller out

Phytoplankter- a planktonic plant- proved too difficult for New Zealand spelling whizz Tom Winter, who was knocked out of the National Spelling Bee semifinals in the United States today.

Tom got all of the letters right until he got to the end where he said an 'o' instead of an 'e'.

Tom, a 13-year-old Burnside High School student, had spelled words like liquefacient and xylophilous to join 47 other spellers ranging in age from 10 to 14 in the semi-finals.

Tom said he was disappointed to misspell the word by one vowel but it had been amazing to have the opportunity to be in Washington DC at the Bee.

Tom's dad stayed up in New Zealand to see the event screening live on TV at 2am and was quick to text Tom to say that he was so proud and now Tom could relax.

Mum Penny Olds, an English teacher at Burnside High, said she and Tom were absolutely thrilled to have got this far in the event.

"The last few days have been one long amazing ride and we were both blown away by the experience," Mrs Olds said.

New Zealand Spelling Bee organiser Janet Lucas said it was a fantastic achievement to reach the semifinals of the competition and showed it was possible for young New Zealanders to do so well.

Eight of the 273 spellers will compete for the trophy and US$40,000 ($60,000) in cash and prizes.

- NZPA