Down Under sweeps ASP Masters

ARPOADOR, Brazil, July 31 (UPI) -- Iain Buchanan of New Zealand and Australian Nathan Webster surfed their way to titles at the ASP World Masters Championships in Brazil Sunday.

Buchanan navigated modest waves at Arpoador to the ASP Grand Masters crown and Webster claimed the ASP Masters title.

Buchanan said he was able to make the best of an outgoing tide and deteriorating waves in the finals get past defending champion Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew and become the first Kiwi to win the Grand Masters title.

"Rabbit just wasn't getting the good turn," Buchanan said. "I was lucky the time ran out."

Webster made his way through a string of Brazilian opponents and prevailed over Fabio Gouveia in the finals.