 Image: Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Team member Noah Stocca at the VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship today. Image credit: International Surfing Association (ISA) Surfing Australia: The Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Team sits in fourth place on the team leader board heading into the pointy end of competition after a big day seven at the 2018 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship at Huntington Beach. Australia narrowly missed out on a finals birth in the Aloha Cup, finishing third in the first semi-final to the home team and a strong French squad. In the Boys Under 18 division Cyrus Cox is the lone Aussie left in the main draw, surfing his way to a round five birth after a 10.53 point (out of a possible 20 points)heat total and a second place finish in round four. Fellow teammate Noah Stocca has been firing on all cylinders after being relegated in the early rounds. Stocca is still alive and ready to fight his way to the final when his repechage eight heat gets underway. In the Girls Under 18 division, Piper Harrison continued her good form, surfing her way through to round five whilst Zahli Kelly’s impressive run ended in repechage seven. Arch Whiteman and Grayson Hinrichs have a big change to do some damage in the Boys Under 16 division with the pair awaiting round five matchups in the main draw. Seth Vanhaeften also has a great chance at fighting his way through to the final if he can progress through his repechage seven heat when competition resumes. At this point in the event, the Team Medals are still fully up for grabs, with Team USA sitting a mere 53 potential points behind Japan. Team Hawaii and Australia are also within reach of the Gold currently in third and fourth place, respectively. ISA President Fernando Aguerre said: "This is what we've been waiting for. We've arrived at the final weekend of competition. Dreams will be made, team camaraderie will be high, and World Champions will rise above the rest and into the global spotlight. "Tomorrow we will award the first Gold Medals of the event with the ISA Aloha Cup Final. Best of luck to the four competing nations!" To see the full schedule of activities, click here. The Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Team: Under 18 Male Noah Stocca (QLD) Cyrus Cox (WA) Max McGuigan (NSW) Under 16 Male Grayson Hinrichs (NSW) Seth Vanhaeften (WA) Arch Whiteman (NSW) Under 18 Female Piper Harrison (QLD) Sasha Baker (QLD) Zahli Kelly (Wildcard) (NSW) Under 16 Male Molly Picklum (NSW) Sage Goldsbury (VIC) Emma Cattlin (WA) The Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Team’s 2018 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship campaign has been bolstered by three outstanding staff appointments in co-coaches Mike McAuliffe and Kate Wilcomes who join manager Blair Semple. The Surfing Australia High Performance Program’s purpose is to support our Australian athletes to become the world’s best surfers and people. The ISA Vissla World Junior Surfing Championships are a great opportunity for our talented athletes to learn, perform internationally, progress their skills, grow personally and consolidate new friendships and networks. The performance focused culture Surfing Australia aims to create within the Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Team, is something that will stay with them throughout their entire careers. The Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Team is proudly supported by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Hydralyte Sports. |