ITALIAN MINI GUN LOOKING FOR BIG FISH IN PIHA

Italy's sole representative and Quiksilver / Red Bull rider Leonardo Fioravanti, 12, is guaranteed at least a 16th place finish with his round five win in the boy's under 16 repercharge round at the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

Young Leo has been the giant killer of the entire event, beating surfers 4 years his senior.  Hailing for Rome Italy and learning to surf in the sporadic waves of his home break Banzai in the seaside town Santa Marinella, Leonardo had limited opportunities to hone his surfing skills.

However, the young surfer has been traveling the globe for the past 18 months while hanging out with the likes of Kelly Slater amongst others on the Quiksilver A team . His repertoire in this event has stepped up with each heat and with the quality of the waves.

The 8 point ride in his round 5 heat was a highlight of the event so far for the young gun.

You can follow the progress of young Leonardo when competition resumes with more great waves forecasted. The Italian mini gun will be looking for big fish to fry as we enter the final stages of the event.