Surfing: Breakthrough success for Hurunui

New Zealand surfer Lisa Hurunui has earned her first wildcard slot into a World Championship Tour (WCT) event by winning the Roxy Jam UK trial at Cornwall, England.

Hurunui led the trials off Perranporth Beach from the outset upsetting favourite Caroline Sarran of France who has surfed in numerous WCT events as a wildcard.

The former Raglan-based surfer will face reigning Peruvian world champion Sofia Mulanovich and Australian Rebecca Woods in her round one heat of the tournament proper.

Hurunui dominated the final trials heat in freezing conditions, winning with a score of 10.90.

"I was so excited by the time I got in from the beach my cell phone was already full of text messages. Everyone thinks I'm used to this cold water but I actually haven't had a winter at home for years," Hurunui said.

The Roxy Jam UK is the fifth women's WCT event on the 2005 schedule and features the top 17 women surfers in the world and the wildcard. It ends on Saturday (NZT).

- NZPA