New Zealand will have two representatives in surfing's debut at the Olympic Games, after Paige Hareb fell just short of the mark to secure a third spot in the lineup.
In her final bid to earn qualification at the International Surfing Association World Games, Hareb finished in 11th after a strong run through the contest. However, needing to finish in the top seven eligible surfers to earn a spot at the Games, the result meant she missed out by two places. While the final day of the event is expected to play out on Monday (NZT), none of the results will change the outcome for Hareb.
It means 2013 Junior World Champion Ella Williams and Billy Stairmand will be the only Kiwis in the lineup in Japan later in the year, after earning their spots at the 2019 ISA World Games with the continental qualification spots.
At the 2019 event, the highest placed surfer from each continent aside from the Americas secured a spot for their country in both the men's and women's fields.