Alessa Quizon of Wai'anae placed second in the women's division of the Billabong ASP Junior World Championships yesterday in Australia.

The final day of the prestigious surfing event was completed in 1- to 3-foot waves at North Narrabeen, Sydney, Australia.

Australia's Laura Enever defeated Quizon, 18.33-11.10, in the one-on-one final.

"I went out there and tried my best," said Quizon, 16. "I felt a little nervous, but I didn't want to let it get to my head, so I just went out there and surfed my own heat."

The event is considered the world championship for surfers age 20 and younger.

Enever, 18, used her knowledge of the North Narrabeen waves to dominate the final day of competition.

"This has been my dream to win this title at home," she said.

Enever received $3,500, and Quizon $1,800.

Earlier in the day, Quizon upset France's Pauline Ado, 14.30-8.97, in the semifinals. Ado was the defending champion of the women's division.

It is the second consecutive year that a Hawai'i surfer finished runner-up in the women's division. Kaua'i's Bethany Hamilton placed second last year.

Quizon upset Hamilton in the third round of this year's contest.

In the men's division, Maui surfers Granger Larsen and Clay Marzo were eliminated in the quarterfinals.

Larsen lost a close heat to Brazil's Alejo Muniz, 14.73-14.07. Larsen needed a score of 6.56 to win the heat in the closing minute, but he received a score of 5.9 on his final wave as the horn sounded.

Marzo lost in the quarterfinals to Brazil's Gabriel Medina, 9.66-1.60.

Maxime Huscenot of Reunion Island won the men's division.

SUNSET OPEN OPENS

The first two rounds of the Da Hui/Sponsor Me Sunset Open men's contest were run yesterday in 6- to 8-foot waves at Sunset Beach.

Many of Hawai'i's top professional surfers are competing, including Fred Patacchia Jr., Pancho Sullivan and Sunny Garcia.

Sullivan had the best heat of the day, receiving a two-wave score of 16.5 out of 20.

"To stay home and compete in waves like this is a dream," Sullivan said.

Florida's Nils Schweizer had the best wave of the day, scoring a perfect 10 for a long barrel ride.

The contest requires one more day of competition to determine a champion.