Clark, Hughes scoop it Sunday 8 July North Beach, Durban
--- South Africa's Heather Clark and Australian Steven Hughes have won the RCI Night Surfing, the only internationally rated surfing event to be held in floodlights.
The men's final, held in testing 1.5 metre (five foot) onshore surf, was a tightly contested affair with the lead changing hands several times until Hughes took control at the halfway mark. He consolidated that lead with three minutes to go, notching up a 7.1 to leave eventual runner-up Royden Bryson from East London needing 7.61, which the 18 year-old rookie could not find. "I'm stoked, the money is much needed", said Hughes on the podium.
"I've never been in front of such a big crowd, I'm speechless," added the Victorian who turns 25 at the end of the July, before holding aloft the winner's cheque and being sprayed with champagne. Clark was outstanding throughout the event, winning every heat she contested by a convincing margin, including the final. The Port Shepstone based goofy-foot disregarded the tricky conditions to post a near perfect 9.27 point ride after 10 minutes in the final, forcing her opponents to play catch up over the remaining 20 minutes.
Current WQS ratings leader Melanie Redman required a 6.94 point ride to take the lead at the final siren. "It's great to beat Melanie and Lynette who are really good surfers, particularly here at home," said Heather as the cheers rang out from the crowd. Hughes pocketed R20 000 (US $2 500) and 250 points on the World Qualifying Series ratings for his victory while Clark earned R16 000 (US $2 000) and identical points to take her within 27 points of Redman at the top of the women's WQS leader board. Durbanites Lyle Bottcher, the 1999 Vodacom Surfing Series (VSS) champion, and 2000 US pro series champ Simon Nicholson, placed third and fourth respectively in the men's final.
Former night surfing champion Lynette MacKenzie from Australia and American Falina Spires both struggled in the testing conditions and were left needing a combination of rides to snatch victory. The RCI Night Surfing carries a one star rating on WQS and a grade five rating on the Vodacom Surfing Series (VSS), the circuit of events that crowns South Africa's annual professional surfing champions, and offers a total of R120 000 (US $15 000) in prize-money. The next event on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) is the Mr Price Pro, a six star rated tournament for men and women that runs from Monday to Sunday, July 9 - 15 at North Beach Durban. Final Results:
(All surfers are South African unless otherwise specified) Men Final 1.Steven Hughes (Aus) 18.27 points 2.Royden Bryson 14.47 3.Lyle Bottcher 11.46 4.Simon Nicholson 7.34 Men
Semi-finals Heat One: 1.Steven Hughes (Aus) 20.34 2.Royden Bryson 14.80 3.Quintin Jones 13.57 4.Antonio Bortoletto 12.23 Heat Two: 1.Lyle Bottcher 20.33 2.Simon Nicholson 16.07 3.Shane Warren 9.94 4.Bradley Bricknell 5.90
Women Final 1.Heather Clark 19.10 2.Melanie Redman (Aus) 16.17 (Aus) 3.Lynette MacKenzie (Aus) 7.67 4.Falina Spires (USA) 2.23
Women Semi-finals Heat One: 1.Melanie Redman (Aus) 18.17 2.Lynette MacKenzie (Aus) 16.33 3.Holly Monkman (Aus) 7.74 4.Tamarys Walters 6.96
Heat Two: 1.Heather Clark 17.37 2.Falina Spires (USA) 16.67 3.Alissa Dragan (Aus) 11.63 4.Jennifer Belshaw (Aus) 3.37
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