FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR, a surfer from Britain took top honours at the Reef Bowl International Surfing Classic.

Russell Winter executed radical, controlled manoeuvres with power, speed and flow to the delight of the large crowd gathered at the 'Soup Bowl', Bathsheba, to witness this exciting annual event last weekend.

He amassed a total of 17.5 points out of a possible 20 to take first place and the US$3 000 prize.

Leigh Sedley from Australia also had the crowds on their feet with excitement with powerful bottom turns, vertical off-the-lips and a huge air drop off a floater to earn the highest wave score of the contest and secure second place with a total of 16.5 points.

Third was Barbados' top-ranked Open surfer Peter Hill, who did his country proud to reach the final of what was undoubtedly the highest quality surfing event ever held in Barbados.

He earned a total of 12 points ahead of Ben Bourgeois from the United States who took fourth place. With the exception of Hill, all the finalists were Reef Team Riders, brought in specially by Reef, the main sponsor of the event, to participate in what they consider to be one of the best surfing events in this part of the world.

They were accompanied by 13 other exceptional surfers from all over the world which contributed to the high level of surfing enjoyed at the event this year.

In addition, for the first time, there was also an Under 18 Boys' Division and a Women's Open Division.

In the Under-18 Division, the quality of surfing was also exceptional, with especially impressive surfing from the participants from Guadeloupe, three of whom made it to the finals. In fourth place was Chris Duff from the United States, third was Charles Martin from Guadeloupe, second was Arthur Bourbon also from Guadeloupe, and first was Jean Estienne from Guadeloupe.

Barbadian junior surfers Stefan Corbin and Lewis St John also did their country proud, progressing through a highly skilled international field to reach the semi-finals.

The Women's Division was also won by a surfer from Guadeloupe, Louana Papa, while 12-year-old Ametza Nicholls impressed the crowd with her surfing skill to take second place. Chelsea Keenan from the United States was third, and Shannon Kieffer from Barbados who surfed an excellent wave, but was unable to find a second had to settle for fourth place.

(PR)