Butler emulates Quinn’s JQS feat

QUALIFYING SERIES WINNER: Kehu Butler on his way to second place in the Hydralyte Sports Surf Series at Cronulla, Sydney, yesterday. Butler became the first New Zealander since Maz Quinn to win the Australasian/Oceania WSL Junior Qualifying Series by beating third-placed Callum Robson, who previously led the Australasian/Oceania WSL JQS. WSL/Ethan Smith (Surfing NSW) picture

Mt Maunganui surfer Kehu Butler qualified for the 2019 World Surf League Junior Championships when he clinched the 2018 Australasian/Oceania WSL Junior Qualifying Series yesterday.

Butler’s runner-up finish in the Hydralyte Sports Surf Series at Cronulla, Sydney, took him past previous leader Callum Robson in the Australasian/Oceania WSL JQS.

Robson, of Evans Head, New South Wales, finished third at Cronulla and was runner-up to Butler in the JQS.

Eighteen-year-old Butler is the first New Zealander to win the series since Gisborne’s Maz Quinn nearly 20 years ago.

“Being the first New Zealander since Maz to win the junior series makes the victory so much sweeter,” Butler said.

“He has always been someone I’ve looked up to, so to follow in his footsteps is an awesome feeling.”

The Hydralyte Sports Surf Series — the final event on the WSL Junior Qualifying Series — was won by Caleb Tancred, of Avoca, NSW. He posted a two-wave total of 13.00 out of 20 in the final and moved to third in the Junior Qualifying Series.

Butler’s two-wave score in the final was 12.15.

Sophia Fulton, of Mollymook, NSW, won the girls’ division at Cronulla with a 13.25 two-wave total in the final.

Fourteen-year-old Zahli Kelly (Cabarita, NSW) cemented her position as girls’ JQS rankings leader with a third-place finish.