Billy Stairmand. Photo: photosport
Brazil's two-time surfing world champion Filipe Toledo survived a scare against New Zealander Billy Stairmand to advance at the Paris Olympics.
Conditions at Tahiti's Teahupo'o varied hugely, with the morning plagued by rain, smaller waves and wind squalls that threatened to send beachside umbrellas into the South Pacific.
As the wind died in the afternoon, Toledo looked to be in trouble after Stairmand scored an 8.17 for a nice backhand barrel, with long lulls between waves ratcheting up the pressure.
But Toledo, who has struggled in Teahupo'o's powerful left-handers, held his nerve to ride over the tricky foamball inside the tube and exit for a 9.67 out of 10 that drew cheers from spectators in the channel.
The result ends New Zealand's surfing involvement. with Saffi Vette having exited the women's competition at the same stage as Stairmand, in the second-round elimination heats.
- Reuters / RNZ