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New Zealand’s Sarah Mason Wins Inaugural Maxum Women’s Pro Junior :: Pro Surfing News

Source:: ASP News

Sarah Mason (NZL) won the event with Keely Andrew (Sunshine Coast, QLD/AUS) finishing runner-up. Pic Surfing NSW

Sarah Mason (NZL) won the event with Keely Andrew (Sunshine Coast, QLD/AUS) finishing runner-up. Pic Surfing NSW

CRONULLA, SYDNEY, NSW/Australia (Sunday, September 22, 2013) - A thrilling finals day at the 2013 Dominelli Womens Surf Classic saw Sarah Mason (NZL) take out the ASP 1-Star rated Maxum Women’s Pro Junior in clean one-to-two foot waves (1 – 1.5 meters) at North Conulla. The New Zealand surfer earned herself $1000 for the win plus valuable ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series rankings points.

Mason (NZL) made her intentions known from the moment the final got underway against Keely Andrew (Sunshine Coast, QLD/AUS). The talented goofy-footer used her explosive and polished backhand attack to notch up a pair of 7.83 (out of a possible 10) rides. Using that foundation of scores, Mason continued to build on her heat total locking in a further 8.23 ride as well as a 9.90, which left Andrew chasing a combination of scores.

“I’m so happy to have got this win,” said Mason. “The waves were amazing out there and I managed to find four really good waves that allowed me to lock in decent scores. Keely (Andrew) has been surfing amazing all event and that ten-point ride she scored in her Semifinal was unbelievable, so I knew I just had to get onto the best possible waves I could. My plan was to simply get two good waves in quick succession and build from there. Fortunately the plan paid off. I’m so stoked.”

Despite putting on one of the best overall performances all event in the Semifinals, including posting a perfect 10-point-ride, Keely Andrew (Sunshine Coast – Qld/AUS) had her work cut out for her when she met an in-form Sarah Mason in the Final. The Sunshine Coast natural footer unfortunately struggled to find the same rhythm she showed in earlier rounds and was left chasing a solid two-wave combination to take the event win.

“I just got back from competing overseas, so it’s definitely good to get back into the comps and get a good start in the 2013/2014 ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series,” said Andrew. “When I made the final I just tried to ensure I went out there and had fun. Sarah is such a good surfer, so I knew I also had to be on my A-game to beat her. This result has given me a lot of confidence moving towards the next events. My boards are going well and I feel physically fit, so I’m looking forward to my next step.”

Karelle Popkee’s (PYF) exciting run through the event unfortunately came to a grinding halt when she scored an interference against Audrey Styman-Lane (Bilambil Heights, NSW/AUS) in the Quarterfinals. At one point the powerful goofy-footer looked set to take the win from Styman-Lane, however due to the interference her entire second scoring wave was eliminated.

“I’m pretty disappointed with the way things went,” said Popkee. “I definitely didn’t expect to get an interference at all.”

Bronte Macaulay’s (Margaret River, WA/AUS) Maxum ASP Women’s Pro Junior campaign unfortunately ended in the Quarterfinals at the hands of Keely Andrew. Both surfers fought tooth and nail over the course of the exciting heat, exchanging an array of excellent scores, however Andrew was able to take the win with a two-wave heat-total of 17.00 (out of a possible 20).

“Keely had two eight point rides, so she kinda smoked me,” said Macaulay. “I really wanted to get through, but I know how good Keely (Andrew) is, so I expected it to be pretty tough. I tried to wait for a good wave to come my way, but it didn’t really come and I fell off on a few also, so it didn’t really work out. I loved surfing a two-man heat as opposed to a four-man heat, you can take it a bit easier and just pick away at the best waves.”

Audrey Styman-Lane (Bilambil Heights, NSW/AUS) walked away from her Semifinal with her head held high despite finishing in second place to a blistering Andrew. Despite her best efforts Styman-Lane – who recently claimed the 2013 Open Australian Title – was unable to snatch the lead from Andrew who locked in a perfect 10-point-ride and a 7.67.

“I’m so stoked to make it this far,” said Styman-Lane. “It’s my best result in an ASP Pro Junior event so far. Next time I hope I can go one better. I had nothing to lose really in that heat, it was just a good feeling to surf a heat with a good friend in fun little waves.”

Amiya Doyle’s (Coolangatta, QLD/AUS) awesome roll through the event unfortunately ended in the Semifinals when she came up against an electrifying Sarah Mason (NZL). Despite performing an impressive combination of forehand hooks and carves, Doyle was unable to post the necessary scores to topple the New Zealand surfer.

“This is the furthest I’ve ever made it in an ASP Pro Junior event,” said Doyle. “It definitely exceeded my expectations. Pro Junior events have never really been my thing, so to get this far and get a good result is an awesome feeling. I never usually put too much pressure on myself to do well in events, in the past if I’ve won then it’s all well and good and if I’ve lost then that’s okay as well. Now that I’ve got a third place in this event I might have to start taking it a bit more seriously.”

Event news, scores, photos and more available via – http://www.maxumprojunior.com

MAXUM ASP WOMEN’S PRO JUNIOR FINAL RESULT:
1 – Sarah Mason (NZL) 18.13 – $1000.00
2 – Keely Andrew (Qld/NSW) 11.33 – $400.00

MAXUM ASP WOMEN’S PRO JUNIOR SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF1: Keely Andrew (QLD/AUS) 17.67 def. Audrey Styman-Lane (NSW/AUS) 12.96
SF2: Sarah Mason (NZL) 13.43 def. Amiya Doyle (QLD/AUS) 8.17

MAXUM ASP WOMEN’S PRO JUNIOR QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Audrey Styman-Lane (NSW/AUS) 11.67 def. Karell Poppke (PYF) 6.17
QF 2: Keely Andrew (QLD/AUS) 17.00 def. Bronte Macualay (WA/AUS) 14.24
QF 3: Sarah Mason (NZL) 15.33 def. Holly-Sue Coffey (QLD/AUS) 14.40
QF 4: Amiya Doyle (QLD/AUS) 11.47 def. Cali McDonagh (NSW/AUS) 11.03

In addition to the ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series event, the Dominelli Group Women’s Surf Classic will see some of Australia’s best female surfers participating in a variety of different surfing disciplines including junior and open longboard, shortboard and stand-up paddleboard.
2013 is the fifth year the Dominelli Group Women’s Surf Classic has run at Cronulla.

In addition to the event, Surfing NSW will be conducting its free CPR and Board Rescue Course Surfers Rescue 24/7 over the course of the weekend.
Tradies at Caringbah will also host a gala dinner on the Saturday night as a celebration for women in sport.

Maxum Watches are designed in Australia and engineered to embrace the Australian surf lifestyle. Combining function, form & fashion, Maxum offers a wide variety of timepieces in three ranges: Waverider, Core and Plasma. Visit www.maxum.com.au for more information.

The Maxum Women’s Pro Junior & Dominelli Women’s Surf Classic is proudly supported by The Dominelli Group, Maxum Watches, Australian Skin Cancer Clinics, Be the Influence, Carve Eyewear, Sutherland Shire Council, Westfield Miranda, ASP Australasia and Surfing NSW.

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