Surfing: Jay Quinn rides into history

Jay Quinn became the first-ever New Zealander to claim a world surfing title when he won the under-18 final at the world junior championships in Sydney yesterday.

But Quinn was not the only Kiwi celebrating on Sydney's northern beaches, as he led the New Zealand team to victory in the world team title.

In powerful windy conditions at Warriwood Beach, the Gisborne surfer dominated the under-18 final, scoring 24.5 with his best three waves.

He finished almost ten points clear of Australian Bede Durbridge (14.6) and another Queenslander, Leigh Sedley (14.5).

All three of Quinn's scoring waves earned eight points or more from the judges, the high point a superb barrel ride which earned him a near-perfect 9.5 out of 10.

Japanese surfer, Naoto Takanashi, finished fourth after he could not make it through the 2.5m waves to get out the back.

Quinn, who was greeted with a haka by New Zealand supporters, said his five-years' experience in the event had paid off.

"I'm the first Kiwi to win one of these at any level so this is awesome," he said.

"This is a major stepping stone for me because guys that have won this event have gone onto the WCT (World Championship Tour), so I'm stoked."

Quinn, younger brother of World Qualifying Series professional Maz, said everything had gone perfectly in the final.

"I watched the waves before I went out and saw a few good ones and my tactic was to sit a bit deeper than everyone else because that's where the better waves were. Everything fell into place for me and it was perfect."

The Gisborne surfer then lead team-mates Luke Cederman, Daniel Scott, Danny Carse and Michael Banks to victory in the teams final which was moved to the more sheltered Palm Beach.

Quinn's topped the individual scores with a 9.5, but it was Carse, New Zealand's last surfer, who secured the win with a big floater on his final wave.

Arch-rivals Australia finished second and South Africa third.

"Last year at this event we got beaten by Australia by only half a point, so to win this year was a dream come true," said team captain Quinn.

"Two world titles for New Zealand - the only world titles ever for us in surfing. I couldn't ask for anything better."

Gisborne's Bobby Hansen completed the best-ever day for New Zealand surfing when he finished second in the under-16 boy's competition.

Results:

Boys under-18: J Quinn (NZ) 1, B Durbidge (Aus) 2, L Sedley (Aus) 3, N Takanashi (Jpn) 4.

Under-16: B Dunn (Aus) 1, B Hansen (NZ) 2, R Basnett (RSA) 3, R Laulhet (Fra) 4.

Girls under-19: C Georgeson (Aus) 1, S Mulanovich (Per) 2, L Fisher (Aus) 3, L Ringer (Aus) 4.

World team title: New Zealand 58.50 1, Australia 52.30 2, South Africa 42.50 3, Japan 31.60 4.