Surfing: Quinn gets wildcard into world event

Surfer Maz Quinn has won a surprise wildcard entry into the prestigious Quiksilver Pro France event after a second placing today.

Quinn, of Gisborne, finished second to Frenchman Patrick Beven in the trial event at the south-west France beachbreak of La Graviere, Hossegor.

Beven and Quinn join invited wildcards Dane Reynolds of the United States, Miky Picon of France and Jeremy Flores of Reunion Island.

Quinn benefited from three injury withdrawals to earn his wildcard place in the 48-strong field.

"It looks like I'll be staying a bit longer as I was planning to leave on Monday. I'm so stoked.

"I've been looking forward to a WCT (world tour event) for so long and especially this event because I did well here, placing ninth, when I was on the tour, so I couldn't be happier," said Quinn, who recently won a three-star world qualifying series event in Spain.

The US$270,000 ($391,360) Quiksilver Pro France, the ninth event on the men's world tour, has a competition window from tomorrow until October 2.

- NZPA