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The golden run is over for New Zealand surfer Sarah Mason, who was eliminated in the semifinals of the women's surfing world championship tour event off Taranaki today.
Having ousted compatriot Paige Hareb in a spectacular semifinal this morning at New Plymouth's Fitzroy Beach, diminutive 15-year-old Mason didn't repeat the dose against Hawaiian Carissa Moore, losing by a total score of 14.56 to 11.33.
Mason couldn't produce the spectacular finish that had become her trademark in a stunning debut on the Dream Tour, including a shock elimination of Australian three-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore yesterday.
That continued with a 16.23 to 11.83 defeat of the more experienced Hareb in this morning's quarterfinals but quality waves deserted the Queensland-based Mason as the swell increased but didn't provide the backhand breaks favoured by the Taranaki-born goofy footer.
Moore established a healthy lead by the halfway mark of the 30-minute semifinal, recording her two scoring waves of 5.83 and 8.73.
Mason scored 6.50 in an early wave but then couldn't register anything better than 5.0 out of 10 as frustration grew in the closing stages.
Having celebrated her 15th birthday on Sunday, New Zealand Open champion Mason will take away $US6000 ($NZ8453) in prizemoney and an enhanced repuation following her wildcard invitation to debut on the elite tour.
Earlier, she produced a spectacular vertical re-entry in her final wave which scored 8.73 points and broke a deadlock with second-year tour veteran Hareb. The scores between the two Taranaki-born riders had been level with three minutes remaining.
Hareb had recorded early rides worth 5.33 and 4.17 to open up a healthy lead before Mason surged in the closing stages.
"That backhand attack is so mature, it's amazing," Hareb later said of her compatriot.
Hareb will be credited with fifth place, her best finish this year, and will take away prizemoney of $US5250.
Moore's final opponent will either be Sally Fitzgibbons or fellow-Australian Chelsea Hedges.