 |
 New Zealand |
 |
Smokefree sign on for another year of surfing HSC’s Auahi Kore brand has strengthened its involvement in Maori Surf by providing support to the new Maori Tri Series (developed in conjunction with Te Puni Kokiri in 2008) and continuing its association with the Auahi Kore Maori Titles. “It is great to continue our long standing relationship with Smokefree”, commented Surfing New Zealand CEO Greg Townsend. “Surfing New Zealand has been involved with the Smokefree and Auahi Kore brands for 15 years. We work hard to promote the healthy lifestyle that surfing can provide to people. The partnership with Smokefree and Auahi Kore complements our work in the promotion of healthy lifestyles. We couldn’t be more pleased to work with them in the coming year”, added Townsend. The Auahi Kore Maori Titles return to the Taranaki region later this year and will be hosted by Waitara Bar Boardriders Club over Labour weekend. The Maori Titles is a key event on the New Zealand surfing calendar with a strong history that dates back to 1993. The success of the event is evident in the fact that ten of the last twenty national title holders have been Maori surfers. Smokefree are one of several partners of Surfing New Zealand. Partners include Corona, Hyundai and SPARC. Airini Mason Secures Best Result Of The Year Mason was in “devastating” form during the event according to the head judge at the event Iain Buchanan – also a Kiwi. The result will give her a huge confidence boost going into the last five events of the year. "We could not hear anything out there and I was stoked to make the semifinals because my quarter was a very close one. I had a perfect time in Portugal." Mason was the youngest surfer to reach the semifinals at the event. A former ASP Australasia Junior Champion rated No. 14 before the Billabong Cascais Girls Festival, Mason secured a valuable 1825 ratings points and jumped to 12th on the ASP WQS ratings. Paige Hareb (Taranaki) was also competing at the event and placed ninth – yet another solid result in what is becoming a stellar year for the young Taranaki surfer. Despite the great result, Hareb slipped two places to fifth on the ratings. Mason along with Hareb, both 18, are in contention for a qualification for next year's Dream Tour. The top six surfers on the WQS gain qualification. Mason now has a chance of qualification if she can secure another two good results while Hareb sits tight in fifth place and will look to hold onto that placing with more solid surfing. Mason, who will be heading to the last WQS events of the year confidently, is focused on her main goal, to qualify for the prestigious ASP Women's World Tour. "There is not too much pressure on me because it is my first year on the WQS", Mason said. "I have been thinking about the ratings a bit and I would really love to make it to the Dream Tour this year but the last two major events in Hawaii will be crucial." Please see below results from the ASP Billabong Festival held at Cascais, Portugal. FINAL SEMIFINALS (1st advances) QUARTERFINALS (1st advances) About International Surfing Association
|
|
 |
 |