Lakey and Courtney qualify for ASP short-board finals

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA in Arugam Bay

Two American women surfers, Lakey Peterson and Courtney Conlogue have qualified for the ASP short-board women's Championship final at the SriLankan Airline's Pro-2011 international surfing contest in Arugam Bay yesterday.

The final contest will ride on the Arugam Bay waves today.

Lakey beat her New Zealand opponent Sarah Mason in the first semi final battle while Courtney defeated her French competitor Paulinc Ado in the second semi final.

Courtney surfed for a perfect 9.9 score, the best of the day, on her fortune wave which lifted her to the final.Lakey collected 12.75 total to edged out Sarah who scored 10.20 points.

In the other semi final Courtney scored 15.40 and out pointed Paulinc who only managed to grab 13.50 points."I caught a good wave and prospected on it," now I must look forward to tomorrow's final,"said the 19 year old finalist Courtney who is the ASP women's world ranking number one just after her achievement.

The first finalist Lake, who is the ASP world ranking number seven said that she is very exited with her triumph and hope to perform much better in tomorrow's final.

Women's Semifinal

Lakey Peterson (USA) 12.75 beat Sarah Mason (New Zealand) 10.20

Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.40 beat Pauline Ado (France) 13.50

[Men's Round two]

Heat 1: Harley Ingleby (Australia) 12.85 beat Phil Rajzman

(Brazil) 12.50

Heat 2: Kai Sallas (USA) 14.85 beat Ned Snow (Hawai) 14.50

Heat 3: Justin Bing (South Africa 9.35 beat. Amaro Matos (Brazil) 7.70

Heat 4: Duane Desoto (Hawai) 12.50 beat Jared Neal (Australia) 11.40

Heat 5: Antoine Delpero (France) 12.75 beat Jackson Close (Australia) 12.40

Heat 6: Rodrigo Sphaier (Brazil) 12.35 beat Bryce Young (Australia) 8.75

Heat 7: Edouard Delpero (France) 13.75 beat Ben Skinner (England) 11.50

Heat 8: Taylor Jensen (USA) 18.50 beat Tony Silvagni (USA) 14.25