Surfing: Hareb through to 3rd round

SYDNEY - New Zealand's Paige Hareb has progressed directly to the third round of the Rip Curl Pro surfing competition at Bells Beach, Victoria, after finishing second in her opening heat.

Taranaki-based Hareb recorded a best two-wave score of 7.67 in light conditions today to finish behind heat winner Coco Ho of Hawaii with 11.00.

Lee Ann Curren of France (7.20) reverts to the round two sudden death repechage.

The Rip Curl Pro is the second leg of the nine stop ASP world tour.

Hareb was in a share of ninth in the 17-strong women's competition on 360 points after the opening leg on the Gold Coast earlier this month.

Australian defending champion Stephanie Gilmore - who also won her opening round heat today - leads the standings with 1200 points.

The Rip Curl Pro is scheduled to run until April 10.

- NZPA