Hill is best placed Sarnian as surf squad rises to the Biarritz challenge

THE Channel Islands' surf team finished fifth, their highest position ever, at the European Surf Champion-ships at Biarritz in France on Saturday. 'Very pleased, I think we were 11th last time,' said Guernsey's Matt Le Maitre, who was part of the team.

'That's a really good result. We were really, really close to coming third. 'We just lost it on the last day.'

The 22-year-old, who finished third in this year's British Universities Sport Association championships, was joined by fellow Sarnians Tom Hill and Jonny Wallbridge in the CI side and it was Hill who was the best performer of the three as he nearly made it through to the quarter-finals to place 25th in the open competition.

'I didn't do too well ' got to the second round,' said Le Maitre.

'But Tom did really well.'

Up against 13 other countries, it was the Jersey team members who really shone with Clayton Lidster, being crowned Masters Champion of Europe.

'The whole event has been amazing,' said the 37-year-old.

'The team has really gelled together. Our success probably proves that, with self belief, you can achieve anything ' collectively as well as individually.'

Ben Skinner also reached the final of the longboard division with some dazzling surfing in the 4-6ft surf. The Jersey longboarder, now based in Cornwall, finished third overall.

Caesarean Gordon Blake also surfed into the r'p'rcharg' final stages where he finished fourth, just outside a finals' spot alongside team-mate Skinner. In the Open class Christian Boletta also reached the semi final stage.

Impressing the judges throughout the week with his snappy repertoire Boletta, in open heat 93, secured a credible third place while also beating the French professional Romain Laulhe in the process.