Harris Quick In The Sand

Illawarra Mercury

Monday December 18, 2000

By PAUL ZALUNARDO

Helensburgh flags competitor Simon Harris avenged his first defeat in nearly two years by beating arch rival Andrew Jackson in round two of the National Surf League at Mooloolaba Beach in Queensland yesterday.

The host state won the overall pointscore, with New Zealand, South Australia and Western Australia finishing in a tie for second.

Harris, the Australian and world champion who competes for the Tasmanian Torpedoes, was beaten by Jackson in the opening round of the surf league.

Harris said that when the pair lined up as the final two competitors yesterday, he was determined to re-assert his authority.

``There was plenty of motivation for me to take the flags title back, but in the end I was just happy to get there," he said.

Harris also finished seventh in the sprint, but said he was closing in on the frontrunners.

``Like it is in the flags, you have the four best in Australia competing in the sprint," he said.

``Before I was getting beaten by four or five metres, but now it is getting down to two or three."

Western Australia's second place finish was its best since 1992.

Narooma competitor Melissa Hoar's win in the beach sprint was a major part of the success.

Hoar, who won the opening round of the competition as well for her adopted state, said the win yesterday was more satisfying than her earlier victory.

``In the first round I was in lane one and people could have said that I won because I had the hardest sand," she said.

``But this time I was in lane six in the softest sand and was able to do well again."

Bulli's Matt Freeman recorded his second strong finish in as many rounds in the surf race.

After coming home third in the opening round, Freeman finished fourth yesterday behind winner Mark Williams.

``I set a goal of being in the top five throughout the year, but now I really want to win a race," Freeman said.

Fairy Meadow swimmer David Locke finished well back in the field in the same race.

The next round of the surf league will be held at Surfers Paradise.

© 2000 Illawarra Mercury

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