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New Zealand’s two surfing representatives lost in round 2 today and were eliminated.
Raglan’s Billy Stairmand lost 17-14 to Filipe Toledo of Brazil. They struck some big waves in the waters off Tahiti and the Brazilian had a best wave of 9.67. Stairmand’s best was a wave of 8.17.
The 34-year-old Stairmand also competed at the Tokyo Olympics.
By contrast, Gisborne’s Saffi Vette struck extremely calm conditions in her round 2 match with Portugal’s Yolanda Hopkins.
Vette, 22, was able to total only 1.27 with a best wave of 0.67. The Portuguese surfer did only marginally better –a total of 4.67 and a best wave of 3.67.