Clark and Robarts keep SA flag flying high

Heather Clark and Penny Robarts kept the South African flag flying high during the women's round of 32 of the four-star Mr Price Pro at North Beach on Thursday.

Clark, who's ranked third in the world and currently lies second on the World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings, got off to a slow start in the fifth heat of the day, in which she convincingly defeated 2003 ISA world under-18 champion Jessi Miley-Dyer (Australia).

Competing against the likes of top seed Trudy Todd (Australia), WQS campaigner Sarah Johnston and the sponsor's wildcard Sacha Moller would be quite intimidating for any surfer. But 21-year-old Somerset West surfer Penny Robarts gave of her best and, although she only managed four point rides in that heat, it was good enough to secure her a place in the quarter-finals.

The women's round of 48 (last four heats) and the round of 32 was not kind to the South African surfers and saw the exits of Stacey Guy, Lindsey Cottrell, Krystal Tavenar, Mandy Watson, Kate Matthews, Kate Goldreich, three-time ASP Africa Pro Surf Tour (PST) champion Tamarys De Maroussem, Michelle Hill, Tammy Lee Smith, Nikita Robb, Jessica Matthews, Candice Mentasti, Nicole Annells and Rosanne Hodge.

France's Marie Pierre Abgrall scored the highest wave ride of 9.17 of the day, and Claire Bevilacqua (Australia) scored the highest heat score of 16.10 after two impressive eight-point rides.

Emmanuell Joly-Thomas (France), Sarah Beardmore (Australia) and Lisa Hurunui (New Zealand) also showed impressive form. The hopes of the nation are now pinned on Clark and Robarts to win the prestigious crown that has yet to be won by a South African.

The quarter-finals are taking place at North Beach on Friday.

Todd, Clark, defending event winner Serena Brooke, Dara Penfold and Rebecca Woods have been tipped to win the title at the finals at 2.45pm on Saturday.

The first eight heats of the men's round of 96 got under way on Thursday afternoon. World Championship Tour (WCT) campaigners Sunny Garcia (Hawaii) and Pat O'Connell (USA) convincingly won their heats in their first appearance of the contest and are now through to the highly-competitive round of 64, that starts this afternoon.

Competing against Jamie O'Brien (Hawaii), Heitor Pereira (Brazil) and Adrian Buchan (Australia), O'Connell played with the waves and was in a different class.

Two magnificent 9.0 and 9.23 rides (heat total of 18.23) saw him easily win the heat ahead of Buchan (12.67). Durbanites Shane Thorne and wildcard Warwick Wright were runners-up in their respective heats, while former WCT campaigner Paul Canning was knocked out.

After Australia's Jamie Thompson secured the heat lead, Canning battled it out with Brazilian Leonardo Neves for the runner-up slot. Canning, a former WCT campaigner, kissed his round of 64 hopes goodbye when he was unable to match Neves's seven point rides.