Surfing: Hareb faces repechage to make quarterfinals

Paige Hareb has been forced to a repechage for the quarterfinals of the third leg of the women's surfing world tour series. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand surfer Paige Hareb will have to qualify for the quarterfinals of the women's surfing world tour series at New Plymouth's Back Beach.

Top New Zealand surfer Paige Hareb has been forced into a repechage to qualify for the quarterfinals of the third leg of the women's surfing world tour series at New Plymouth's Back Beach today.

Hareb, who automatically advanced to today's third round after comfortably winning her first round heat yesterday, scored 12.5 points to finish ahead of Australian world champion Stephanie Gilmore (11.3).

However, current world No 3, Coco Ho, of Hawaii, scored 14.65 points to win the heat and earn a place in tomorrow's quarterfinals.

Hareb, currently ranked fifth in the world, will meet Hawaii's Melanie Bartels in tomorrow morning's repechage. A victory for Hareb will set up a re-match with Ho in the quarterfinals.

Earlier today, New Zealand champion Sarah Mason bowed out in her second round repechage after her 8.1 total was surpassed by Brazilian Silvana Lima who scored 12.

Other third round heat winners were Australian tour rookie Tyler Wright, American Courtney Conlogue and in-form Australian Sally Fitzgibbons, winner of the last round at Victoria.

Fitzgibbon's score of 19 was the highest of the third round as she revelled in light off-shore conditions to score a 9.75 and 9.25 to defeat fellow Australian Chelsea Hedges (12.40) and Bartels (10.40). "I was feeling really good in my equipment. It reminds me of one of my home breaks so I was feeling really at home and comfortable with the waves," Fitzgibbons said.

"It's nice to get those scores. I feel like I'm on the right track and I can't wait until the next round."

- NZPA