Sand blaster Maples has Egypt world champs in sights

by Kelly Exelby | 15th February 2010

PICTURE SUPPLIED: Taranaki's world champion duo Jaron Mumby (front) and Chris Scott were unstoppable in the IRB over the entire weekend.

Chelsea Maples, Bay of Plenty's ace of pace, gilt-edged her world championship credentials as the province rebounded back on to the podium with a credibility-restoring third yesterday at the Lion Foundation Surf League at Mount Maunganui.

Mount-based national representative Maples was involved in every one of Bay of Plenty's four wins on Saturday - the teams' relay, beach flags, beach sprint and women's board teams with Katrina Madill - and was equally outstanding yesterday.

She anchored the beach relay to a second consecutive win, beat Canterbury's Chanel Hickman in the beach flags, although Hickman turned the tables in the sprint, bumping Maples to second.

The 19-year-old also teamed with Madill to win the teams' board race, with Andrew Newton and Brad Wilson grabbing the men's top spot.

- Read more in today's Bay of Plenty Times