| Harris Becomes British Surf Champion |
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| Tuesday, 16 October 2007 | |
  Newquay’s Mark Harris made the most of phenomenal 4-8 foot surf to win the O’Neill British Open Championships on home turf at Fistral Beach.With some of the best conditions ever witnessed for a contest on UK shores, hundreds of people gathered to witness the showcase of British surfing talent as the sea offered up the perfect playground for the event. The perfect surf attracted the contest’s biggest ever entry. But it was local lad Mark ‘Egor’ Harris who stole the show and took the prestigious Open title. Harris battled his way through some hotly contested heats to surf a flawless final, ripping the waves to shreds with his fluid style. Surfing at his home break definitely favoured the local rider and he thoroughly deserved his landmark win. Reuben Pearce made a late surge, but it was not enough to deny Harris his victory. Ben Baird couldn’t match the awesome display of power surfing that had earlier won him the Seniors division, and finished third. Alan Stokes, who was one of the favourites coming into the competition, couldn't find his form in the final and had to make do with a disappointing fourth.  Mark said: “I’m so, so stoked to be the British Champion! It’s a title I’ve always wanted and to do it on my home break is even better. The level of surfing this weekend has been amazing. In the final I got a good start and some strong waves came my way. I just went for it and made it happen.”In the Women’s division, 17-year-old Beth Mason from Swansea took her second title in a row with a display of top to bottom surfing that solidified her reputation as Britain’s number one. Newquay’s Holly Donnelley came a respectable second in some of the biggest waves she’s ever competed in. Also showing phenomenal form, Jed Stone took the Veteran title for the 8th time. He said: “I’ve been surfing for a long time and these waves have honestly been the best ever for the contest. I was having a blast and it was as if someone was looking down on us - the water was so glassy.”  A highly entertaining Masters final saw Lee Bartlett winning the title for first time, taking his total haul of British titles to seven (having won the Seniors twice and the Open four times).Karen Walton, National Director of the BSA commented: “This weekend’s O’Neill British Championships have been nothing short of brilliant. The conditions have been ideal for Britain’s best surfers to show off their skills and the level of surfing has been amazing at every level, so a massive congratulations to everyone who competed.” RESULTS Open 1. Mark Harris 2. Reubin Pearce 3. Ben Baird 4. Alan Stokes Senior 1. Ben Baird 2. Gabe Davies 3. Lee Bartlett 4. Jamie Owen Veterans 1. Jed Stone 2. Gary Collins 3. Colin Bright 4. Gwyn Bright 5. Laurence Couch Women 1. Beth Mason 2. Holly Donnelly 3. Karma Worthington 4. Kathleen Spears Masters 1. Lee Bartlett 2. Callum Murrell 3. Tony Good 4. Jed Stone Bookmark this item              |