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03/08/2005:// Briton Russell Winter will missing the Rip Curl Newquay Boardmasters in Cornwall after opting to compete in a higher-rated pro contest in the Far East.
The Newquay event has been given a five star rating on the World Qualifying Series tour, one star below the Tahara Pro at Akabane Beach, in Japan.
Winter is pushing hard for a place in the top flight next season and rating points are vital for the 29-year-old's bid to return to the Top 44.
The 29-year-old is seeded into the second road in Japan - which runs on the same dates as the UK leg of the tour - and is up against Frenchman Tim Boal.
Winter is flying high on the WQS tour after the midway point after a superb last 16 place finish at the US Open of Surfing in California.
The final was won by current world champion Andy Irons who defeated Californian Rob Machado by less than a point.
The result puts moves Winter up into eighth place in the rankings, less than 2,000 points behind tour leader Australian Adrian Buchan.
In Cornwall, British hopes will rest with five surfers. Champion of Champions finalist Llewellyn Whittaker, Exeter-based Josh Lewan, former Exeter University surf club captain Martin Black, Newquay's Oli Adams and ex Cornish BPSA champion Mark Harris.
Whittaker goes in heat one against Australian Corey Ziems, Brazilian Ricardo Azevedo and Carlos Cabrero.
Lewin, who is inside the top 30 on the Europe WQS tour meets Brazil's Heltor Alves and American Wesley de Souza in heat six top 16 in the UK BPSA tour without doing all events this year.
Twenty-two-year-old Lewin has tasted success at Fistral Beach in the past and his current WQS ranking will make him a formidable opponent.
Black comes face to face with Brazilian Odirlei Coutinho, who was one Russell Winter's opponent at Huntington Beach over the weekend.
Adams also competes against top-class opposition in the shape of Aussie Matt Bemrose, Hawaiian Daniel Jones and Anthony Petruso, from America.
Harris must wait until the final heat of round one to go against Hawaiian Hank Gaskell, South American Dunga Neto and Australian Michael Spencer.
Among the top-seeded surfers in action in round two are three World Championship Tour riders Darren O'Rafferty, Toby Martin and Victor Ribas.