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Top British seed in last twenty four
by George Mojo
28/04/2006:// Top British seed Russell Winter called on his teenage memories to book a place in the last 24 of the O'Neill Highland Open in Scotland.
The 30-year-old admitted surfing the reef at Thurso East more than 15 years ago is proving invaluable.
The Newquay surfer put in an awesome display to win his round three heat at the 5star World Qualifying Series event - the first to be held in Scotland.
Winter outpointed American Noi Kaulukakui, Australian Adam Robertson and Warwick Wright, from South Africa.
His fourth round opponents have yet to be decided.
"I surfed Thurso when I was quite young a few times," said Winter. "It's the first time I've been back in about 15 years but I'm getting used to the wave already."
According to Winter, his recent win of the O'Neill Scottish BPSA Open, which took place earlier this week, might have given him an edge over his opponents: "I've gained a lot of knowledge over the last week since I've been here. Each heat I go through I'm getting better."
Former British student champion Sam Lamiroy, from Perranporth, has yet to paddle out in his third round heat.
The ex Plymouth University surf club captain faces New Zealand's Maz Quinn, Brazil's Leonardo Neves and Gavin Roberts.
Newquay's Mark Harris, a former BPSA champion is out of the running after finishing last in his third round outing to current World Qualifying Series leader American Gabe Kling and Nick Rozsa.
Llewellyn Whittaker, also from Newquay, saw his hopes fade when Frenchman Eric Rebiere and Brazilian Bernado Miranda pushed him into third place by under a point during their second round heat.
Lying at 59° degrees north, Thurso has been likened by some to a coldwater Nias in Sumatra. It is alsoone of the most consistent spots on the British Isles, renowned its long, winding right-hand tubes that spin off the flat, kelp covered reef.
If Thurso fails to turn it on for the event, the contest organizers have the option to go mobile and travel the short distance to alternate swell magnets.
Brims Ness, which means 'Surf Point' in Nordic, is just one option that is renowned for providing the goods when the main contest reef is dormant.
The inaugural Highland Open is scheduled to take place from April 25 to May 2nd.
[Carissa Moore (in yellow) receiving the winner's prize]
[The number of high-rated Australian surf competitions are set to increase]
[Pablo Gutierrez winner of the Superbock Pro]
Hawaiian Carissa Moore won the Roxy Pro Junior surfing in her first ever contest in France
ASP International has announce the inception of their fourth regional branch, ASP Australasia
Twenty-six-year-old Pablo Guitierrez took top honours in the Superbock Pro in Portugal after defeating fellow Portugeuse surfer Eduardo Fernandes in the final
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