Surfing: Parkinson near perfect

In-form Australian surfer Joel Parkinson posted a near perfect third round heat score yesterday to throw down the challenge to runaway World Championship Tour series leader Kelly Slater at the Billabong Pro Mundaka.

His two-wave score of 19.70 points out of a possible 20 was the second highest of the year.

Gold Coast-based Parkinson, 25, showed he meant business against compatriot Jarrad Howse from the outset - nailing 9.97 on his first wave followed by an equally impressive 9.40 on his final wave.

Parkinson stayed true to his pact with fellow Gold Coaster Mick Fanning to "do anything we can" to stop American Slater who can claim an eighth world title with victory at Mundaka.

Slater spent the day as a spectator, the tide-sensitive river mouth stopping wave production just before he was due to take to the water. He was to compete overnight.