KEY POINTS:
Bobby Hansen is New Zealand's highest-ranked surfer after finishing the 2007 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) world qualifying series in 79th place.
Hansen, who improved 12 places on his 2006 rating, sees him move past fellow-Gisborne surfer Maz Quinn (90th), who had been the top-ranked New Zealander for the past decade.
Hansen got off to a slow start this year, missing three major events, but bounced back with a 13th place finish in Scotland - his best finish of the year.
He was eliminated from that event by Jay Quinn, younger brother of Maz, and his ninth placing was the best individual result by any New Zealand surfer this year. Jay Quinn is ranked 142nd.
Hansen went on to post some solid results in Europe with three 17th placings.
He will continue on the world qualifying series in 2008 in search of the top-15 finish that will qualify him for the ASP World Tour.
- NZPA
