Kiwis Finish 2006 WQS Campaign
Maz Quinn (Gis) has again finished as the highest placed Kiwi on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) this year ranked 63rd. The final event of the WQS was completed today with Joel Parkinson (Aus) winning the event. Quinn placed 33rd in the event having been eliminated several days ago. While remaining the top New Zealand surfer on the world stage, Quinn will be quietly disappointed with his final ranking after having finished 45th in 2005. Touted in many countries as one of the best surfers in the world the 30 year old will hope to put everything together in the coming year and qualify for the World Championship Tour (WCT) where he rightfully belongs.
Bobby Hansen also of Gisborne was the next highest placed New Zealand surfer finishing the year ranked 91st on the WQS. It was a successful year for Hansen who was contesting the tour for the first time. Hansen placed 81st in the final event of the year. Jay Quinn (Gis), while not competing in the final event, has finished ranked 127th with Matt Scorringe (WGM) finishing 286th.
The Rip Curl Pipeline Masters WCT event catering for the top 44 surfers in the world begins on the 9th December (NZ time). The women also have one further event to complete – the Billabong Pro at Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii. New Zealand surfer Airini Mason has secured a wildcard into the trials of the event which also begins on the 8th of December. Mason will line up alongside the top twenty female surfers in the world at the event and hope to qualify for the main event. Mason who now resides in Queensland Australia finished the WQS ranked 76th after competing in selected events this year. Fellow New Zealander Mischa Davis (Piha) finished the year ranked 97th.
Source: Surfing New Zealand
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