ASP (association of Surfing Professionals) World Junior ratings leader, Ciao Ibelli (BRA), has kept his title hopes alive, the 20 year-old surviving his sudden death Round 2 heat in the Billabong World Junior surfing Championships, which continued today in 1.5metre waves at Burleigh Heads on Australia's Gold Coast.

Ibelli was bundled into the repechage round of the $100,000 tournament by injury wildcard replacement Matt Hewitt (NZ), but today regathered form to easily outpoint local trialist, Eli Steele (Caloundra, Qld AUS) 14.83pts to 8.17pts and progress to Round 3.

No such luck for number 5 seed, Dale Staples (ZAF) who was eliminated by VonZipper trials winner, Wade Carmichael (Avoca, NSW, AUS). Carmichael had nothing to lose and everything to gain against his favoured rival and commanded the clash from the moment he rode his first wave, locking in a good score of 7.33pts.

The trialists continued their dominance in Heat 3, with Tim MacDonald (Stradbroke Island, Qld, AUS) outpointing an injured Ryan Callinan (Merewether, NSW, AUS).

Callinan was a surfer's favourite heading into the prestigious tournament, having returned from months of recuperation for an injury, raring to go. Then fortune dealt him a heavy blow, the 19 year old copping a another, new injury to his ankle during a practice session on the weekend.

Callinan withdrew from the first round, giving doctors time to treat his ankle, but today it was obviously a hindrance, Callinan had the unfortunate honour of registering the lowest two-wave combined heat total of the event thus far -- a disappointing 5.00pts to McDonald's winning 11.67pts.

Other surfers to progress to Round 3 today included NSW South Coast surfer, Dean Bowen (Gerroa, NSW, AUS) who defeated local 16 year-old Mitch Parkinson (Coolangatta, Qld, AUS) - and internationals Mateai Hiquily (Tahiti, PYF) and Nathan Carvalho (Haw).