Surfing: Christie shows the way for junior surfers

A strong captain's performance from Gisborne's Richard Christie was the New Zealand highlight on the second day of the world junior surfing championships in Maresias, Brazil yesterday.

Christie won his second round heat to move through to the last 24 surfers in the under-18 boys division.

He posted 12.27 points out of a possible 20 to win his heat after riding a good wave late in the heat to snatch the lead.

Christie finished eighth at the same event last year in California.

Tim O'Connor of Mt Maunganui and Raglan's Billy Stairmand both lost their second round heats by close margins and will contest repechage heats.

Three under-18 girls won their opening-round heats -- Gisborne's Airini Mason, Auckland's Mischa Davis and Paige Hareb of Taranaki.

There was success across the board for the under-16 boys, with all four New Zealanders advancing to tomorrow's second round, the most impressive being Paco Divers of Northland.

New Zealand have placed seventh overall at the last two world junior championships.

- NZPA