ISLE FILE
Hamilton, Hurst surf on
Advertiser Staff
Kaua'i surfers Bethany Hamilton and Leila Hurst advanced to the quarterfinals of the girls division of the Billabong World Junior Championships yesterday at Sydney, Australia.
The first, second and third rounds were run in 2- to 3-foot waves at North Narrabeen beach.
Hamilton, who had her left arm severed in a shark attack off Kaua'i in 2003, defeated California's Sage Erickson in the third round, 12.33-10.5.
Hamilton, 18, is scheduled to face Australia's top seed, Laura Enever, in the quarterfinals.
Hurst upset Hawai'i's top seed, Coco Ho of Sunset Beach, in the third round. Hurst received a score of 8.83 in the closing minutes of the heat.
Hurst finished with a two-wave score of 13.66 to top Ho's total of 11.10. Hurst, 15, is scheduled to face Brazil's Diana Cristina in the quarterfinals.
"The conditions were windy and I was looking for the lefts, as they were the better waves running to the shore," Hurst said. "The lead changed between Coco and myself about five times. I have become much more confident now and I would love to make the final, but at least the semis. That's my goal."
The contest is considered the world championship for surfers age 20 and younger.
The boys division did not run heats yesterday. Hawai'i surfers entered are Tonino Benson, Kiron Jabour, Granger Larsen, Dusty Payne, Casey Brown, Kai Barger and Sebastian Zietz.
TENNIS
PROS A HIT AT KAPALUA
Kapalua Tennis Garden will be the site of the 2009 Kapalua Charity Hit-a-Thon Thursday. The benefit starts at 5 p.m. with Kapalua's Peter Burwash International pros rallying. It ends when a pro misses or a ball bounces twice.
The longest two PBI pros have lasted is eight hours.
Spectators are encouraged to participate by estimating how long the pros will rally. Suggested donation is $10 per estimate, with an unlimited number of estimates accepted. A prize package will be awarded to the one with the closest estimate, without going over.
For additional details or to submit a guess, call Kapalua Tennis Garden at (808) 665-9112. Make checks payable to Kapalua Maui Charities, Inc.
