Durban boy Jordy on fire in Sydney

Jordy Smith continued his seemingly irresistible march towards the most sought after title in world junior surfing with another comprehensive victory that saw him advance to the quarterfinals of the R430 000 Billabong ASP World Junior Championships in Sydney, Australia, earlier on Saturday.

Executing his heat strategy to perfection, the 18-year-old Durbanite got off to a flying start with the heat's highest score - 7.67 points out of a possible 10 - in the opening minute and then maintained his lead throughout to post a 14.44 vs. 10.50 point victory over Frenchman Jean Sebastien Estienne.

"The conditions are much better than yesterday and I aimed to get a quick one under my belt and get in front of the other guy. And that's what I did," said Smith of his performance. "It's more rights than lefts this year, which suits me. It's a short wave so you have to do as much as you can in the space."

The last SA surfer remaining in the event, Smith will be up against Pierre-Valentin Laborde in his quarterfinal encounter after the 15-year-old Frenchman scored an upset win over highly rated Australian Dion Atkinson.

Earlier in the day Nicola Atherton made full use of the wildcard granted to her for finishing runner-up last year by capturing the Billabong ASP women's world junior title in a tough tussle with Peru's Anali Gomez.

Atherton had recorded a comfortable win over Lee-Ann Curren (FRA) in their quarterfinal before squeaking through her semi when diminutive Coco Ho (HAW) just failed to get the 6.50 points she needed to reach the final on her final ride.

"I can't describe how good it feels," said a jubilant Atherton. "I don't think it's hit me yet. I'm just glad that it's over and I did it and have got that thing off my back! I'm a world champion. I set out to do this and have been thinking about it for six months. It is my last junior event and what a way to cap it off!" - Sapa