Viernes 19 de Diciembre 2003

   Friday, December 19, 2003 - (Pipeline, HAWAII) -- Hawaii's Andy Irons duplicated his clean sweep of professional surfing at the Banzai Pipeline today, winning the three most coveted awards in the sport: the Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing title, and the Association of Surfing Professionals world title. It was a carbon copy of his result here last year. Pushing six-time world champion Kelly Slater to
the very last heat of the year, Irons, 25, handled the pressure of being ranked second in the world coming into this event to emerge victorious. His payoff was a $30,000 Xbox winner's check, a $7,500 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing bonus, and a second consecutive world crown. He is the only surfer to ever win all three titles two years in a row.

Riding out the tail end of a powerful north swell, the final four rounds of the US$250,000 Xbox Pipe Masters were held in grueling 6-8 foot waves at the right-hand break of Backdoor Pipeline. Competitors battled a freight-train rip current as they tussled for the hollowest waves, running 150 yards along the beach after each ride to paddle back out for more. By the day's end, all four finalists had surfed a total of four arduous 30-minute heats. Along the way, countless surfboards were smashed by waves as competitors pushed deeper and deeper for the highest scoring tubes. Irons alone broke two. Florida's Shea Lopez was the only physical casualty, rupturing the medial ligament of his knee when he was crushed by white-water during a closeout maneuver in the quarterfinals.

The final consisted of the two world title challengers and a pair of Australians in Joel Parkinson and Phil MacDonald. Slater, 31, posted the first real score of the final in a tactical move, surfing a break known as "Gums" just to the right of the Pipeline lineup and immediately in front of his rented Pipeline house. A short tube ride of three points came close to foretelling the kind of final Slater was up against. While he later moved over to join the other competitors at Backdoor, he struggled to find any wave of real value and was eventually forced into fourth place.

Irons was the first to score highly, riding deep and long through a dredging Backdoor barrel for what would be the highest wave of the heat - an 8.33 point ride that sent the 10,000 strong crowd of Irons supporters into a cheering frenzy. Hot on his tail was MacDonald, answering back with a similarly brilliant ride that earned 8.27 points, and Parkinson notched up a couple of average scores that kept him in contention.

Slater made the next move, trying to keep a hold of his world title hopes with a couple of short tube rides that didn't do much to help his cause. Then Parkinson broke out with a clean tube ride and close-out floater for 6.5 points - enough to edge him into the lead. But with seven minutes left on the clock, Irons caught his final ride of 6.83 points, weaving his way through the Backdoor to shoot to first. Following that, nothing of any real worth came through for Slater, MacDonald only managed 1.33 for his second and final tube ride attempt, Parkinson scored his last and best ride of 7.9, but none of it was enough to topple Irons from his perch. The final seconds were counted down as the beach rose to a giant cheer for Irons and Slater paddled over to give the champ a victory hug. The final score line showed 15.16 for Irons, 14.4 for Parkinson, 9.6 for MacDonald, and 9.17 for Slater.

"I was a ball of nerves the whole day, it was so emotional," said Irons after the final. "I started getting really bad cramps in the semis and I broke a couple of boards... I didn't think it would come out this way, but this is a dream come true. This is the stuff I dreamed of as a kid. I got to watch it and now I'm living it. It hasn't sunk in yet, that's for sure.

"The final was psycho. I saw Kelly surfing way up at Gums and was wondering what he was doing, and if he had something up his sleeve. I saw Phil get a good one while I was on the beach, after I buckled my board. It was just one of those finals. I was so tired and sore... I couldn't wait to hear the countdown, but my watch actually stopped at 12-minutes, so I thought it was 12-minutes forever (laughs).

"My stomach has been in knots for weeks, so I'm just happy it's over. I'm just trying to soak it up and enjoy it.

"Kelly said it was one of the best days of his career. For me to hear that was just amazing. He said he'd never had such a rad title race, and tried so hard. For him to say that was just the biggest compliment. I still look up to him. He sets the scale and the standard. To see what he's done in the past and be able to go head-to-head with him was just amazing."

While Slater has tussled with the possibilities of the world title race for months now, his second place finish still came as a tough, emotional moment. As his peers returned to shore to soak up the moment, Slater sat out in the water for at least another half hour, gathering his thoughts. Had he won the title here today, he was considering retirement. It was also a dream of his to win today in honor of his father, who passed away last year. Instead, he found himself on stage, actually presenting the world title cup to Andy and
making a runner-up speech.

"I just want to say thanks to everybody - thanks to Andy," Slater said on stage. "I had an amazing year - one of the best of my life. I never enjoyed myself so much competing and we were just back and fourth. It was awesome. One of us had to win and one of us had to lose. It couldn't have happened a better way. I was stoked we both made the final. I wish we both would have got a few more good waves in the final, but that's the way it goes. I want to thank my family and my girlfriend. Just all my friends who were here. I'd like to dedicate this year to my dad. I didn't win, but I did this for him. Congratulations Andy.

"It was an amazing year. After Brazil I said the only thing that could happen to really top this thing off would be for us both to make the final. We got first and fourth, and it didn't matter if I was second or fourth, it was just about trying to pull ahead of Andy in the final. It had to come to a climax and the amount of pressure that was on, and in the air... the
tension was like nothing I've ever felt. I just had to really keep myself together through every heat.

"I came close to losing my heat this morning, and then I put in two good heats after that. If I'd had my semifinal waves in the final I would have won the contest, but I just kind of peaked one heat early. I probably should have stayed a bit closer to my game plan in the final. I was going to surf over at Gums, as I ended up seeing some really nice waves over there. I think if I'd done that I could have at least still been in the game. The way
it was I didn't even have one really good wave.

"I think I'll be back next year. It was going to be up in the air if I won this year, what I'd do next year. I had such an enjoyable time this year competing and traveling. It was like a whole new year for me. I feel like I won in a lot of ways. I mean, I had a better year this season than I did a lot of years I won the world title. So, you've got to hand it to Andy."

Parkinson posted a personal best at Pipeline today, going way further than his previous best of a quarter final finish. He rounded out the year at fifth in the world.

"I've made a few quarters this year," said 22-year-old Parkinson, "but haven't gone much farther, so I'm happy. All I was really here to see is the Kelly and Andy showdown (laughs)."

Phil MacDonald, 24, beat Kelly in the semi-finals in France this year in what was possibly a turning point in the title race, bringing it all down to Hawaii. Today he placed ahead again for a final finish of 13th in the world.

Irons' younger brother Bruce, himself a previous Xbox Pipe Masters champion, almost had a chance at playing spoiler today but just fell short of his own goal of facing off against his brother and Slater in the final. He lost to Slater and MacDonald in the second semi-final for a fifth place finish. Equal fifth with him was Luke Hitchings (Aus). Fourth place recipients in the semi's were wildcard Pancho Sullivan (Hawaii) and Cory Lopez (Florida), who placed equal seventh.

Myles Padaca (Hawaii) won the afternoon's Foster's Expression Session and offered his sentiments on the day on stage:
"It was a really special day and is going to go down in the history of all the surf lore and legend books. You couldn't ask for a better show today. I take my hat off to Andy and Kelly. It was the most spectacular thing to happen in surfing for a long time and it feels great to be a part of it."

Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters
1st Andy Irons (Haw) 15.16 - US$30,000
2nd Joel Parkinson (Aus) 14.4 - US$16,000
3rd Phil MacDonald (Aus) 9.6 - US$11,000
4th Kelly Slater (USA) 9.6 - US$9,000

Semifinals (1st, 2nd>Final; 3rd=5th receives US$8,500; 4th=7th receives US$7,500)
SF1: Joel Parkinson (Aus) 15.9; Andy Irons (Haw) 15.17; Luke Hitchings (Aus) 11.57; Pancho Sullivan (Haw) 8.83
SF2: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.6; Phil MacDonald (Aus) 12.3; Bruce Irons (Haw) 11.5; Cory Lopez (USA) 7.06

Quarterfinals (1st, 2nd>Semifinals; 3rd=9th receives US$5,500; 4th=13th receives US$4,500)
QF1: Joel Parkinson (Aus) 14.83; Pancho Sullivan (Haw) 12.93; Kieren Perrow (Aus) 12.8; Jamie O'Brien (Haw) 8.1
QF2: Andy Irons (Haw) 17.4; Luke Hitchings (Aus) 12.33; Shea Lopez (USA) 8.27; Marcus Hickman (Haw) 5.8
QF3: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.8; Phil MacDonald (Aus) 9.67; Beau Emerton (Aus) 6.0; Dean Morrison (Aus) 5.4
QF4: Bruce Irons (Haw) 17.33; Cory Lopez (USA) 11.8; Kalani Robb (Haw) 9.14; Derek Ho (Haw) 4.03

Round Three (1st, 2nd>Quarterfinals; 3rd, 4th=17th receive US$4,000)
H1: Kieren Perrow (Aus) 14.57; Jamie O'Brien (Haw) 13.63; Damien Hobgood (USA) 12.73; Nathan Hedge (Aus) 12.37
H2: Joel Parkinson (Aus) 14.33; Pancho Sullivan (Haw) 12.4; Victor Ribas (Brz) 10.34; Mark Occhilupo (Aus) 9.75
H3: Luke Hitchings (Aus) 16.93; Shea Lopez (USA) 12.33; Fabio Gouveia (Brz) 7.5; Luke Egan (Aus) 3.36
H4: Andy Irons (Haw) 16.27; Marcus Hickman (Haw) 11.03; Guilherme Herdy (Brz) 9.66; Peterson Rosa (Brz) 2.67
H5: Phil MacDonald (Aus) 12.2; Kelly Slater (USA) 11.33; Kalani Chapman (Haw) 9.67; Trent Munro (Aus) 8.34
H6: Beau Emerton (Aus) 11.83; Dean Morrison (Aus) 10.56; Danny Wills (Aus) 10.03; Tim Curran (USA) 8.7
H7: Kalani Robb (Haw) 14.23; Derek Ho (Haw) 13.83; Mick Fanning (Aus) 11.94; Paulo Moura (Brz) 10.76
H8: Cory Lopez (USA) 15.23; Bruce Irons (Haw) 12.87; Mick Lowe (Aus) 9.73; Neco Padaratz (Brz) 9.24

Jesse Faen.

Jueves 18 de Diciembre 2003

Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters (Dec. 8-20)
Competition Postponed After Lengthy Evaluation

   Competition Postponed After Lengthy Evaluation

Thursday, December 18, 2003 (Pipeline, HAWAII) The Xbox Pipeline Masters was again postponed today. Organizers of the US$250,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) evaluated conditions until 11am (local time) this morning, hoping to at least run round three heats, but ultimately opted to wait until more favorable surf.
Following yesterday's stormy conditions, the swell did subsided and cleaner 8ft (2.5m) waves were on offer, but a disorganized lineup at Pipeline remained.
Another decision will be made by 7am tomorrow morning.

   Jesse Faen.

Miércoles 17 de Diciembre 2003

Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters (Dec. 8-20)
Stormy Conditions Cause Further Postponement

   Wednesday, December 17, 2003 (Pipeline, HAWAII) Despite a substantial swell increase yesterday afternoon, the Xbox Pipeline Masters was again postponed this morning due to stormy conditions. The US$250,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) will resume with round three heats when more favorable surf prevails, followed by quarterfinals, semis and then the main decider.
Three days remain in the waiting period, with only one required to complete this year's event and determine the 2003 ASP world champion and Van's Triple Crown winner. Another decision will be made by 7am (local time) tomorrow morning.

   Jesse Faen.

Martes 16 de Diciembre 2003

Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters (Dec. 8-20)
Competition Postponed; Final Day Expected Tomorrow

   Tuesday, December 16, 2003 (Pipeline, HAWAII) The Xbox Pipeline Masters was again postponed this morning due to continued small surf. A building swell is expected throughout the day, with organizers gearing up for the final day of the US$250,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) tomorrow. Round three will commence the action, conditions pending, followed by quarterfinals, semis and then the main decider.

 Clean 4ft (1.3m) surf was offer at Pipeline this morning, but conditions should be ideal for the highly anticipated world title, Triple Crown and event showdowns tomorrow.

   Jesse Faen.

Lunes 15 de Diciembre 2003

Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters (Dec. 8-20)
Competition Again Postponed; Swell Expected Tomorrow

   Monday, December 15, 2003 (Pipeline, HAWAII) The Xbox Pipeline Masters was again postponed this morning due to small surf. Only one full day of competition is required to complete this year's final World Championship Tournament (WCT) and a new northwest swell is forecast to arrive tomorrow.
Onshore 3ft (1m) surf is offer at Pipeline this morning. Organizers are hopeful the swell arrives overnight and allows competition to resume first thing tomorrow, but the possibility of commencing later in the day and just finishing round three, and then the final rounds on Wednesday also exists, conditions pending.
Another decision will be made by 7am (local time) tomorrow.
Upcoming Xbox Pipeline Masters Round Three (1st, 2nd>Quarterfinals; 3rd, 4th=17th receive US$4,000)
H1: Kieren Perrow (Aus); Jamie O'Brien (Haw); Damien Hobgood (USA); Nathan Hedge (Aus)
H2: Mark Occhilupo (Aus); Victor Ribas (Brz); Joel Parkinson (Aus); Pancho Sullivan (Haw)
H3: Luke Egan (Aus); Fabio Gouveia (Brz); Shea Lopez (USA); Luke Hitchings (Aus)
H4: Guilherme Herdy (Brz); Peterson Rosa (Brz); Andy Irons (Haw); Marcus Hickman (Haw)
H5: Kelly Slater (USA); Kalani Chapman (Haw); Phil MacDonald (Aus); Trent Munro (Aus)
H6: Danny Wills (Aus); Tim Curran (USA); Dean Morrison (Aus); Beau Emerton (Aus)
H7: Mick Fanning (Aus); Derek Ho (Haw); Kalani Robb (Haw); Paulo Moura (Brz)
H8: Mick Lowe (Aus); Bruce Irons (Haw); Cory Lopez (USA); Neco Padaratz (Brz)

   Jesse Faen.

Domingo 14 de Diciembre 2003

Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters (Dec. 8-20)
Competition Postponed Due To Declining Swell

   Sunday, December 14, 2003 (Pipeline, HAWAII) The Xbox Pipeline Masters was postponed this morning due to a declining swell on the north shore. Looking ahead, just one day of competition remains to complete this year's final World Championship Tournament (WCT) and a new northwest swell is forecastfor early in the coming week.
When competition resumes, round three will hit the water first, followed by quarterfinals, semis and the grand finale. This event will conclude the 2003 ASP World Tour and Vans Triple Crown of Surfing and will crown the world champion and Triple Crown champion.

Upcoming Xbox Pipeline Masters Round Three (1st, 2nd>Quarterfinals; 3rd, 4th=17th receive US$4,000)
H1: K. Perrow, J. O'Brien, D. Hobgood, N. Hedge
H2: M. Occhilupo, V. Ribas, J. Parkinson, P. Sullivan
H3: L. Egan, F. Gouveia, S. Lopez, L. Hitchings
H4: G. Herdy, P. Rosa, A. Irons, M. Hickman
H5: K. Slater, K. Chapman, P. MacDonald, T. Munro
H6: D. Wills, T. Curran, D. Morrison, B. Emerton
H7: M. Fanning, D. Ho, K. Robb, P. Moura
H8: M. Lowe, B. Irons, C. Lopez, N. Padaratz

   Jesse Faen.

Sábado 13 de Diciembre 2003

Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters (Dec. 8-20)
Slater & Irons Keep Pace Going Into Round 3

   Saturday, December 13, 2003 - (Pipeline, HAWAII) There were no bumps in theXbox Pipeline Masters round one road for world title contenders Kelly Slater (Florida) and Andy Irons (Hawaii) today, both clearly advancing through their first round heats with conclusive wins. Opening up the day's competition in highly anticipated back-to-back heats, Irons was first out in the 4-8 foot surf, up against wildcard Kalani Chapman (Haw) and Richard Lovett (Aus). With the two highest scores of the heat - 8.53 and 8.5, Irons'
total of 17.03 points stood to be the highest score of the day's competition.
Straight behind Andy came Slater, forced to keep pace with his rival if he's to keep his world title chances in check. Scoring slightly lower than Irons, Slater still wove his way through the premier tube rides of the 25 minute heat to advance to winner's round three.
"I actually think it's advantageous to surf first," said Irons. "That way can get the job out of the way and I don't have to sit around watching Kelly, stressing out about what I need to do."
"I think both ways have advantages and disadvantages," said Slater. "With Andy surfing first, I know where I stand. But I think the pressure's on.
It's on both of us all the way to end now."  Following the contest side of business, Slater found time to pick up his prize money from the first event of the Vans Triple Crown series - the Vans Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa, officially making him surfing's first prize money
millionaire.
"We've had a lot of questions about surfing's 'million dollar man'," said ASP Tour Manager Renato Hickel. "But the breaking news is that it's finally official. He has finally picked up his check from Haleiwa and he now goes down in the records as our first million dollar prize money earner."
While Kelly and Andy competed over surfing's holy grail, the rest of the pack had their own concerns. For several of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Top 44 ranked World Championship Tour surfers, today's second round represented a career ultimatum.
Brazil's Flavio Padaratz, a 15-year veteran of the tour, still managed a smile and upbeat attitude following a second round loss to Mick Fanning (Australia) and Nathan Hedge (Australia) that saw him fail to re-qualify. Padaratz considers it to be a beginning to a new career phase, rather than an end.
"Well, I guess that's the end of the 15-year round-the-world heat," joked Padaratz, 32, shaking hands with friends and fellow competitors on the beach as he made his final exit from Pipeline. Padaratz's younger brother Neco has successfully re-qualified for next year's WCT tour and will keep the Brazilian flag flying high while Flavio takes up his various roles back in Brazil as television show host, Tropical Brazil surfboard/surfwear co-owner, and license holder of Brazil's WCT event.
Along with Flavio, others to officially fail to make the WCT cut for next year's tour now include Australians Shane Powell, Luke Stedman, Hawaii's Shane Dorian, and Brazil's Danilo Costa and Fabio Gouveia. Pat O'Connell (USA), Sunny Garcia (Hawaii) and Michael Campbell failed to make the cut but have been granted ASP injury wildcards into all 2004 WCT competitions.
Current Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series leader Jake Paterson (Australia), the winner of last week's Rip Cur Cup at Sunset Beach, was perhaps the greatest surprise today, losing in the second round to a heat loaded with talented Pipeline surfers. Paterson struggled to successfully make his way out the barreling waves, finishing in fourth behind Bruce Irons (Haw), Peterson Rosa (Brz), and Shane Dorian. His premature loss has opened the door to Andy Irons to possibly defend his ownership of the Triple Crown title. Andy would need to make the final of the Xbox to take the Vans Triple Crown title away from Paterson.
Pipeline wildcard specialists put in another solid showing today, with six of the original nine wildcard recipients still in the draw at round three stage. They are Jamie O'Brien, Pancho Sullivan, Marcus Hickman, Kalani Chapman, and former Pipeline Masters champions Derek Ho and Bruce Irons.
"I'm glad I got this round out of the way," said Bruce, of his second round heat. "Because I heard there is a nice big swell coming (next week) and that's when the damage will hopefully get done. One of the wildcards could even win the contest. They're some of the best surfers at Pipe and they're going to be a big threat."
Looking ahead, just one day of competition remains to round out this year's Xbox Pipeline Masters and Vans Triple Crown series. It is expected that the final day will not be held tomorrow, due to a continued decline in surf heights. A new northwest swell is forecast for early in the week, possibly topping the heights we saw yesterday of 12 feet.
When competition resumes, it will be with the third round, quarterfinals, semis and final. This event will conclude the 2003 ASP World Tour and Vans Triple Crown of Surfing and will crown the world champion and Triple Crown champion. The women's titles were decided yesterday, with Australian Layne Beachley winning her sixth consecutive world crown with a second-place finish in the Billabong Pro Maui. Hawaii's Keala Kennelly won the women's Vans Triple Crown title.

Round 1: (1st to round 3, 2nd & 3rd will be reseeded into round 2)
H1: Marcus Hickman (Haw) 14.66, Tom Whitaker (Aus) 13.74, Daniel Wills (Aus) 10.0
H2: Tim Curran (USA) 15.16, Nathan Hedge (Aus) 8.83, Jake Paterson (Aus) 6.9
H3: Victor Ribas (Brz) 13.83, Fred Patacchia (Haw) 12.94, Taylor Knox (USA) 2.33
H4: Michael Lowe (Aus) 15.0, Bruce Irons (Haw) 14.4, Paulo Moura (Brz) 1.23
H5: Jamie O'Brien (Haw) 16.76, Trent Munro (Aus) 15.73, Kieren Perrow (Aus) 15.44
H6: Joel Parkinson (Aus) 16.33, Peterson Rosa (Brz) 14.73, Pancho Sullivan (Haw) 10.97
H7: Derek Ho (Haw) 16.27, Guilherme Herdy (Brz) 11.83, Mick Fanning (Aus) 9.33
H8: Andy Irons (Haw) 17.03, Kalani Chapman (Haw) 12.33, Richard Lovett (Aus) 4.43
H9: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.5, Kalani Robb (Haw) 8.9, Brian Pacheco (Haw) 4.43
H10: Phillip MacDonald (Aus) 11.17, Jonah Morgan (Haw) 10.34, Taj Burrow (Aus) 8.33
H11: Neco Padaratz (Brz) 9.73, Fabio Gouveia (Brz) 7.44, Luke Egan (Aus) 6.24
H12: Shea Lopez (USA) 12.33, Danilo Costa (Brz) 6.83, Chris Davidson (Aus) 5.4
H13: Dean Morrison (Aus) 8.56, Toby Martin (Aus) 6.4, Beau Emerton (Aus) 5.07
H14: Cory Lopez (USA) 16.87, Luke Stedman (Aus) 15.17, Flavio Padaratz (Brz) 10.2
H15: Damien Hobgood (USA) 18.5, Shane Dorian (Haw) 15.8, Shane Powell (Aus) 2.5
H16: Luke Hitchings (Aus) 14.0, Mark Occhilupo (Aus) 9.67, Lee Winkler (Aus) 7.73

Round 2: (1st & 2nd to round 3, 3rd & 4th eliminated =33rd, $3,000)
H1: B. Emerton (Aus) 13.8, K. Chapman (Haw) 13.33, C. Davidson (Aus) 12.2, T. Burrow (Aus) 4.53
H2: M. Fanning (Aus) 12.17, N. Hedge (Aus) 11.5, B. Pacheco (Haw) 8.44, F. Padaratz (Brz) 5.83
H3: K. Perrow (Aus) 13.33, P. Moura (Brz) 11.17, J. Morgan (Haw) 7.5, S. Powell (Aus) 1.26
H4: P. Sullivan (Haw) 14.93, T. Munro (Aus) 13.17, T. Knox (USA) 10.77, L. Winkler (Aus) 4.2
H5: B. Irons (Haw) 17.1, P. Rosa (Brz) 10.56, S. Dorian (Haw) 9.17, J. Paterson (Aus) 6.27
H6: D. Wills (Aus) 10.83, G. Herdy (Brz) 6.06, F. Patacchia (Haw) 5.33, L. Stedman (Aus) 5.1
H7: K. Robb (Haw) 16.93, L. Egan (Aus) 11.9, T. Martin (Aus) 3.13, T. Whitaker (Aus) 1.74
H8: M. Occhilupo (Aus) 11.0, F. Gouveia (Brz) 10.5, R. Lovett (Aus) 4.96, D. Costa (Brz) 3.63

Draw for Round 3:
H1: K. Perrow, J. O'Brien, D. Hobgood, N. Hedge
H2: M. Occhilupo, V. Ribas, J. Parkinson, P. Sullivan
H3: L. Egan, F. Gouveia, S. Lopez, L. Hitchings
H4: G. Herdy, P. Rosa, A. Irons, M. Hickman
H5: K. Slater, K. Chapman, P. MacDonald, T. Munro
H6: D. Wills, T. Curran, D. Morrison, B. Emerton
H7: M. Fanning, D. Ho, K. Robb, P. Moura
H8: M. Lowe, B. Irons, C. Lopez, N. Padaratz

   Jesse Faen.

Viernes 12 de Diciembre 2003

Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters (Dec. 8-20)
Local Wildcards Challenge World's Best

   Friday, December 12, 2003 - (Pipeline, HAWAII) -- Nine local Hawaii surfers won wildcards into the opening round of the final jewel of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing today, in the trials of the Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters. Following the withdrawal of several top 45 ranked surfers with injury, a larger number of wildcard slots opened up this year for local Pipeline specialists than normal. Barreling 6-10 foot surf offered an
excellent opportunity for Hawaii's premier Pipeline surfers to show off their skills against the Association of Surfing Professional's (ASP) best in this, the final stop on the 2003 World Championship Tour.
Making good of the opportunity were: Hawaii's Marcus Hickman, Bruce Irons, Fred Patacchia, Jamie O'Brien, Pancho Sullivan, Derek Ho, Kalani Chapman, Brian Pacheco and Jonah Morgan, who each advanced into the first round of the main event. O'Brien is the youngest in the event at 20 years of age, and Vans Triple Crown veteran Derek Ho is the oldest, at 39 years. Ho has wonthis event twice, in 1986 and 1993.
While Sunset's Marcus Hickman was the last surfer to make it out of the trials, he emerged as the overall standout of the day, posting the first and only perfect 10 of the tournament so far in his opening heat this-morning. He later defeated seeded Australian surfers Daniel Wills and Tom Whitaker in the first round of the main event.
A unique and dangerous wave like no other in the world, the famous Banzai Pipeline is known best by the local surfers who get to surf it all winter. As a result, local surfers who don't qualify to travel on the ASP tour all year are often more adept in the critical, large conditions when the tour comes to town for the Xbox Pipeline Masters each December. Hickman proved himself to be such a surfer today.
"I don't have anything to loose," said 24-year-old Hickman. "I don't have the money to travel the world like these tour guys do, so I just try to make my mark here at home when I get the chance. I find it so much easier to surf against people I don't know, so there's so much less pressure for me in the main round than surfing against the guys in the trials that I grew up with and always surf with.
"I'm really excited to see what happens. I was stoked to just get into the trials and then to hear that it was up to nine people getting out of the trials. I really squeaked in, as the highest placed third in the quarters, but I've got my chance now.
"I don't recall being in the trials here before, so evidently I mustn't have done too well."
By virtue of winning his first round heat, Hickman advances directly into the third round.
Of the seven round one heats run this afternoon, two were won by local trialists. Joining Hickman in a ticket straight to round three was O'Brien, the youngest competitor in the event. In the third-last heat of the day, O'Brien pushed ASP Top 44 surfers Trent Munro (Aus) and Kieren Perrow (Aus) to their limit for the overall top scoring heat of the day. O'Brien took first with a two-wave total of 16.76 points to Munro's 15.73, and Perrow's 15.44. The scores of Munro and Perrow would have been enough to win any of the preceding first round heats, but weren't enough to overcome O'Brien, who literally lives with Pipeline in his front yard. Already with years of Pipeline experience under his belt, O'Brien is seen as one of the major contenders for this event, having reached the final of the Xbox in 2001, when he lost to Bruce Irons. Earlier this year, he won the Hansen's Pipeline Pro in huge 15-foot surf here.
Current Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series leader Jake Paterson (Aus), the 1998 Xbox Pipe Masters champion, suffered an uncharacteristic first round loss and will be looking to redeem himself in round two tomorrow.
If good conditions prevail tomorrow, the world title battle between Andy Irons (Haw) and Kelly Slater (Florida) will kick-start competition. Irons is set to surf the first heat of the morning when round one continues, followed immediately by Slater. While there are no eliminations from the first round, both surfers will be looking to avoid round two completely with a firstround win.

HEAT DRAW:
Trials - Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters (Top 9 surfers receive a wildcard into the main event - 1sts and 2nds and highest third from the quarters. No need to run the trials beyond the quarters as we just need to determine the top 9.)
Round 1:
H1: Bruce Irons (Haw), Takayuki Wakitwa (Jpn), Evan Valeire (Haw), Joel Centeio (Haw)
H2: Pancho Sullivan (Haw), Mark Healy (Haw), Jesse Merle-Jones (Haw), Joel Tudor (USA)
H3: Myles Padaca (Haw), Rob Machado (USA), Danny Fuller (Haw), Naohisa Ogawa (Jpn)
H4: Derek Ho (Haw), Jamie O'Brien (Haw), Raimana Boucher (Tah), Makua Rothman (Haw)
H5: Braden Dias (Haw), Jonah Morgan (Haw), Love Hodel (Haw), Manoa Drollet (Tah)
H6: Tamayo Perry (Haw), Brian Pacheco (Haw), Hira Terinatoofa (Tah), Christian Fletcher (USA)
H7: Fred Patacchia (Haw), Jamie Sterling (Haw), Liam McNamara (Haw), Rocky Cannon (Haw)
H8: Marcus Hickman (Haw), Kalani Chapman (Haw), Jason Frederico (Haw), Eric Rebiere (Haw)

Quarter Finals:
H1: Bruce Irons, Pancho Sullivan, Mark Healy, Takayuki Wakita
H2: Jamie O'Brien, Derek Ho, Rob Machado, Myles Padaca
H3: Brian Pacheco, Jonah Morgan, Braden Dias, Tamayo Perry
H4: Kalani Chapman, Fred Patacchia, Marcus Hickman, Jamie Sterling (Hickman highest 3rd)

Round 1: (1st to round 3, 2nd & 3rd will be reseeded into round 2)
H1: Marcus Hickman (Haw) 14.66, Tom Whitaker (Aus) 13.74, Daniel Wills (Aus) 10.0
H2: Tim Curran (USA) 15.16, Nathan Hedge (Aus) 8.83, Jake Paterson (Aus) 6.9
H3: Victor Ribas (Brz) 13.83, Fred Patacchia (Haw) 12.94, Taylor Knox (USA) 2.33
H4: Michael Lowe (Aus) 15.0, Bruce Irons (Haw) 14.4, Paulo Moura (Brz) 1.23
H5: Jamie O'Brien (Haw) 16.76, Trent Munro (Aus) 15.73, Kieren Perrow (Aus) 15.44
H6: Joel Parkinson (Aus) 16.33, Peterson Rosa (Brz) 14.73, Pancho Sullivan (Haw) 10.97
H7: Derek Ho (Haw) 16.27, Guilherme Herdy (Brz) 11.83, Mick Fanning (Aus) 9.33
H8-16 to be held tomorrow.
H8: Andy Irons (haw), Richard Lovett (Aus), Kalani Chapman (Haw)
H9: Kelly Slater (USA), Kalani Robb (Haw), Brian Pacheco (Haw)
H10: Taj Burrow (Aus), Philip MacDonald (aus), Jonah Morgan (Haw)
H11: Luke Egan (Aus), Neco Padaratz (Brz), Fabio Gouveia (Brz)
H12: Shea Lopez (USA), Chris Davidson (Aus), Danilo Costa (Brz)
H13: Dean Morrison (Aus), Beau emerton (Aus), Toby Martin (Aus)
H14: Cory Lopez (USA), Flavio Padaratz (Brz), Luke Stedman (Aus)
H15: Damien Hobgood (USA), Shane Powell (Aus), Shane Dorian (Haw)
H16: Mark Occhilupo (Aus), Lee Winkler (Aus), Luke Hitchings (Aus)

   Jesse Faen.

Viernes 12 de Diciembre 2003

Billabong Pro Maui (Dec. 8-20)
Beachley Claims Unprecedented Sixth Consecutive World Title
Samantha Cornish Wins Billabong Pro Maui

   Friday, December 12, 2003 (Honolua Bay, Maui) Australian Layne Beachley today set an unprecedented record by winning her sixth consecutive ASP world title. Samantha Cornish (Aus) then defeated her to win the Billabong Pro Maui final. The US$60,000 Women's World Championship Tournament (WCT) commenced with round three this morning and then ran all the way through for an epic finale this afternoon.
Perfect 4-5 ft (1.5m) waves were again on offer at Honolua, with clean barrels racing along the picturesque righthand point break. Another beautiful sunny day provided the ideal backdrop as the world's best female surfers performed.
The pressurized day was full of drama as each round unfolded with world title scenarios on the line and the all-important ratings race nearing its conclusion. As the quarterfinals wound up virtually all contenders still remained, yet it was during the semifinals history was created.
Beachley secured her finals berth and then nervously watched from the shoreline as ratings leader Keala Kennelly (Kauai, Haw) did battle in the second semi. The Kauaian needed to advance to keep the dream alive, and was forced to play catch-up throughout following opponent Cornish's initial 7.5 score. A determined Kennelly never gave up however, and the 25-year-old came within the closest of margins. Requiring a 7.46 toward the end, she posted a 7.4 with some great backhand re-entries. Having narrowed the gap, she then needed another 6.61, but on her final ride only earned a 4.75 and the race
was over.
For 31-year-old Beachley, the moment signified becoming surfing's only six-time consecutive world champion - a feat even Kelly Slater (FL, USA) didn't achieve. The record-breaking year commenced with a win on Australia's Gold Coast in March, and then she secured a runner-up placing in France last WCT, before glory poured upon her this afternoon.
"Oh my god," began Beachley, with tears in her eyes as friends and media gathered. "I can't believe this. It's been quite an emotional year. I started so strong and then took a dive in the middle of the season, but I've come back at the end. I guess that's what it takes to be a world champion, you just never give up and I haven't. I'm really fired up to come back next year and try and win seven.
"This is my sixth consecutive world title and it creates history cause no other surfer in the history of ASP has done this," she continued. "Even though Kelly won six, he didn't win them consecutively, so this is a new one for the record books. It's such an amazing achievement and something I'm still in complete disbelief over. I'm really happy and so thankful for all the support of my friends and family, especially throughout the last few
days. And of course thanks to Sam for winning that last heat (laughs)."
When the 35-minute final got underway soon after, it was all back to business though. Beachley created a commanding lead and appeared set to finally win a Billabong Pro Maui title. Cornish changed everything however, earning a near-perfect 9.5 and ultimately another 5.8 score last wave to seal her maiden WCT victory.
Having also equaled the highest total of the event for 17.75-points this morning, 23-year-old Cornish announced her intentions early and locked in the #5 position on the ratings with the fantastic result.
"It's unbelievable," began Cornish. "Layne winning the world title today and for me to come out on top in the final... Today was one of the best days of my life. I got so many perfect barrels and had such a great time here. I didn't even feel like I was surfing in a contest.
"When she created a bit of a lead I was thinking maybe it wouldn't happen, but then I got that 9.5 and it spurred me on to dig deep," she continued. "It came through at the end, so I'm really happy. I guess I've paid my dues the last two years on the WCT and gained experience. Hopefully next year I'll have enough to get off to a good start and go for a world title."
For Beachley, this was a runner-up finish she could take smiling. Having posted her first perfect 10 on the opening ride of this year's Billabong Pro Maui and then sealing the ratings race, she graciously accepted one title slipping from grasp.
"I was really keen to win the event and top off such an amazing day," admitted Beachley. "I was surprised Sam scored a 9.5, but she was surfing extremely well and we both put on a strong performance. Maybe I was a little too relaxed in the final? The waves were really good and it went right down to the wire. At the end of the day I've won six world titles and she's won her first event."
Equal third today were Kennelly and Heather Clark (SAfr). For the Kauaian - who posted two wins this year in Fiji and then the following Billabong Pro Teahupoo event in Tahiti, for a commanding lead - today's result was a bitter blow after months of anticipation. Nonetheless, the 25-year-old surfed valiantly in the deciding match and proved a true champion in defeat.
"It all came down to this day and was pretty amazing," began Kennelly. "Everybody in contention made the quarters onwards and there was unreal surfing, so it was exciting stuff. If you were going to win the world title you definitely had to earn it today. That heat with Sam was close. She got an early lead and I came back strong at the end, but just didn't seem to get the scores. There's always next year and good on her (Layne). She earned it today.
"The Triple Crown was the last of my thoughts," she acknowledged, when told she'd won the prestigious Triple Crown of Surfing award for her combined efforts over the past three Hawaiian events. "It was all about the worldtitle today, but at least I won something (laughs). About time a Hawaiian won the Hawaiian Triple Crown."
South African Clark regained third position on the ratings with her fourth semifinal finish at Honolua. Against Beachley she trailed a commanding lead after the champs' early 8.5 ride, but did manage to fight back and only required a 7.5 score towards the end. Unfortunately nothing broke during the last 3-minutes.
"I'm glad we had waves," said Clark. "I knew it wasn't going to be easy coming up against Layne out here, especially after seeing that barrel yesterday. She got a 10 but I thought it was more like a 12 (laughs). This is my fourth year I've got a third here, so I'm consistent and pretty happy with that. Obviously I wanted to make the final and maybe win a 'CT, but I'll be back next year. My goal coming here, if I couldn't win a title, was to finish third on the ratings, so I'm stoked."
Finishing equal fifth in the Billabong Pro Maui were 1993 world champ and last year's event runner-up Pauline Menczer (Byron Bay, Aus), 1999 event winner Trudy Todd (Gold Coast, Aus), Melanie Redman-Carr (West Aus) and Chelsea Georgeson (Aus).
Todd posted the highest combined heat score of the event against an equally in-form Rochelle Ballard (Haw) for 17.75-points this morning, but then lost a nail-biting match with Beachley in the quarterfinals.
Georgeson was a dark horse for the world title leading into the Billabong Pro Maui rated third, having won the previous WCT in France. Super dangerous on her backhand, the 2002 ASP 'Rookie of the Year' was ultimately stopped by a rampaging Cornish, needing an additional score worth 7.85-points. The goofy footer unfortunately fell on one good wave near the end and there lost her chance.
"It's a bit of a shame I blew my chance at the title, but there's always next year," said Georgeson. "I'm stoked with how things worked out this year. I won my first WCT, so everything from then was a bonus."
Defending Billabong Pro Maui champion Jacqueline Silva (Brz) was eliminated in round three this morning by Menczer, while then ratings #5 Sofia Mulanovich (Peru) also lost to Cornish and also placed 9th overall.

Billabong Pro Maui Final Results
1st Samantha Cornish (Aus) 15.3 - US$10,000
2nd Layne Beachley (Aus) 15.0 - US$6,000

Semifinals (1st>Final; 2nd=3rd receives US$4,000)
SF1: Layne Beachley (Aus) 15.0 def. Heather Clark (SAfr) 14.6
SF2: Samantha Cornish (Aus) 14.0 def. Keala Kennelly (Haw) 13.95

Quarterfinals (1st>Semifinals; 2nd=5th receives US$3,000)
QF1: Heather Clark (SAfr) 16.5 def. Pauline Menczer (Aus) 11.25
QF2: Layne Beachley (Aus) 14.1 def. Trudy Todd (Aus) 12.65
QF3: Keala Kennelly (Haw) 15.0 def. Melanie Redman-Carr (Aus) 6.9
QF4: Samantha Cornish (Aus) 16.6 def. Chelsea Georgeson (Aus) 12.75

Round Three (1st>Quarterfinals; 2nd=9th receives US$2,500)
H1: Heather Clark (SAfr) 14.25 def. Marie Pierre Abgrall (Fra) 7.5
H2: Pauline Menczer (Aus) 11.65 def. Jacqueline Silva (Brz) 11.15
H3: Trudy Todd (Aus) 17.75 def. Rochelle Ballard (Haw) 16.15
H4: Layne Beachley (Aus) 14.75 def. Julia Christian (USA) 6.75
H5: Keala Kennelly (Haw) 9.25 def. Kate Skarratt (Aus) 8.75
H6: Melanie Redman-Carr (Aus) 14.75 def. Lynette MacKenzie (Aus) 8.4
H7: Samantha Cornish (Aus) 17.75 def. Sofia Mulanovich (Peru) 8.35
H8: Chelsea Georgeson (Aus) 16.15 def. Megan Abubo (Haw) 15.25

2003 ASP Ratings After Billabong Pro Maui, WCT #5/5
1. Layne Beachley (Aus) 3,696-points
2. Keala Kennelly (Haw) 3,516
3. Heather Clark (SAfr) 3,240
4. Chelsea Georgeson (Aus) 3,060
5. Samantha Cornish (Aus) 2,664
6. Trudy Todd (Aus) 2,436
7. Sofia Mulanovich (Peru) 2,424
8. Lynette MacKenzie (Aus) 2,220
9. Rochelle Ballard (Haw) 2,052
10. Jacqueline Silva (Brz) 2,028

   Jesse Faen.

Jueves 11 de Diciembre 2003

Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters (Dec. 8-20)
Competition Postponed After Lengthy Evaluation

   Thursday, December 11, 2003 (Pipeline, Haw) The Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters was postponed today after a lengthy evaluation. Organizers of the year-ending US$250,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) kept competitors on standby mode until 10:30am this morning, but ultimately opted to wait for more favorable conditions. The Trials are expected to start tomorrow, with the first few main event heats to follow if waves allow.
A swell increase did occur with solid 6-8 ft (2-2.6m) waves on offer, though lots of sand on the shallow reef has resulted in more dangerous than usual surf. Strong winds also prompted officials to wait.
The Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters has a 13-day waiting period (Dec 8-20) in which to select the best possible surf for the three days of competition required to determine a winner. Another decision will be made by 7am (local time) tomorrow.
Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters Trials (Top 9 surfers will receive a wildcard into the main event.)
H1: Bruce Irons (Haw), Takayuki Wakita (Jpn), Evan Valeire (Haw), Joel Centeio (Haw)
H2: Pancho Sullivan (Haw), Mark Healy (Haw), Jesse Merle-Jones (Haw), Joel Tudor (USA)
H3: Danny Fuller (Haw), Rob Machado (USA), Myles Padaca (Haw), Naohisa Ogawa (Jpn)
H4: Jamie O'Brien (Haw), Derek Ho (Haw), Raimana Boucher (Tah), Makua Rothman (Haw)
H5: Braden Dias (Haw), Jonah Morgan (Haw), Strider Wasilewski (USA), Love Hodel (Haw)
H6: Tamayo Perry (Haw), Brian Pacheco (Haw), Hira Terinatoofa (Tah), Christian Fletcher (USA)
H7: Jamie Sterling (Haw), Liam McNamara (Haw), Fred Patacchia (Haw), Rocky Cannon (Haw)
H8: Kalani Chapman (Haw), Marcus Hickman (Haw), Eric Rebeire (Fra), John Gomes (Haw).

   Jesse Faen.

Jueves 11 de Diciembre 2003

Billabong Pro Maui (Dec. 8-20)
Beachley Off To Perfect Start

   Thursday, December 11, 2003 (Honolua Bay, Maui) Reigning five-time world champion Layne Beachley (Aus) today posted a perfect 10-point ride in the Billabong Pro Maui. The US$60,000 Women's World Championship Tournament (WCT) commenced with a Trials division and selection of one wildcard surfer for the main event, before the opening and then second elimination round heats unfolded this afternoon.
Perfect 4-5 ft (1.3m) waves were on offer at Honolua, with clean barrels running along the righthand point break. A beautiful sunny day greeted the opening day of competition, and organizers expect a swell increase overnight to provide even more ideal conditions for tomorrow's event climax.
Beachley, who surprisingly had never received a perfect score throughout her illustrious career, changed this with an incredible first forehand barrel ride. The Australian positioned herself superbly and disappeared for a good five-seconds, emerging to loud applause from the crowd and unanimous 10's from the international panel of judges. Although trailing on the current ratings in runner-up position by a mere 36-points, today's dominating win with the highest combined total of 16.75 out of a possible 20, is clearly fair warning to opponents and a great confidence booster. She'll face Californian Julia Christian in round three.
"Well it was a perfect wave according to the judges," said Beachley, matter-of-factly of her epic tube. "It's my first perfect 10 in a contest, and what a place to score it. I was so excited. Not just because of the barrel, but more that I scored my first career 10 (laughs).
"I've actually taken my mind off of it," she continued, of the world title race. "I've stopped performing for a result and am now actually performing for fun. It worked for me at the Roxy Pro at the start of the year and hopefully it will work for me at the Billabong Pro at the end of it. Conditions should be phenomenal tomorrow."
Current ratings leader Keala Kennelly (Kauai, Haw) also advanced today, placing second behind an in-form Samantha Cornish (Aus) in their opening heat with Prue Jeffries (Aus). Cornish opened with a near-perfect 9.25 barrel and controlled the lead, while Kennelly was unlucky not to make an epic backhand barrel she had weaved through. The 25-year-old, who recently proved her backhand attack is on top of the game following the World Qualifying Series (WQS) win at Turtle Bay (Oahu), will next meet Kate Skarratt (Aus) in a highly anticipated round three match-up.
"I let myself get out of position a couple of times which was pretty stupid," said Kennelly afterward. "That cost me a couple of best waves of the heat. It didn't throw me at all, but I let Sam get that high scoring wave when I shouldn't have. There are definitely some good waves and barrels, but hopefully it will pick back up tomorrow. I'm feeling very
relaxed."
Ratings #3 Chelsea Georgeson (Aus), #4 Heather Clark (SAfr) and #5 Sofia Mulanovich (Peru) all progressed with runner-up placings today. Mulanovich, who had two of her bigger surfboards stolen on Oahu prior to arriving on Maui, and then almost drowned this morning when her leash became caught on a coral head, was happy just to make another round in anticipation of surfing Honolua again.
"This morning I almost drowned and yeah, two of my boards were stolen before coming over to Maui, so I didn't really have a good start to this contest," reasoned Mulanovich. "It's ok and I just have to get those things out of my mind. I should be surfing good, since there's a chance of winning the Triple Crown and I don't want to miss that, and the world title (laughs). I was just hesitating out there too much, but the waves were so good. The best ever, and that's why I'm kind of bummed since I didn't get any barrels.
Hopefully next time."
Defending Billabong Pro Maui champion Jacqueline Silva (Brz) lost her opening heat today against 1999 event winner Trudy Todd (Gold Coast, Aus) and Megan Abubo (Haw), but then fought back with a commanding performance in round two this afternoon. The Brazilian posted the second best scores of the day for a combined 16.1 tally.
"My first heat this morning didn't really go too well," began Silva. "It was really inconsistent and I only caught two waves. That last one was good though, and I caught plenty. Honolua today was beautiful. Just three girls in the water is a dream, so I'm so happy to make the next round. I won here last year, so every heat I'm going to try hard to defend my championship. I hope I can win again."
Another decision will be made by 7am (local time) tomorrow morning, with a probable 8am start for third round heats.
Billabong Pro Maui Round One Heats (1st, 2nd>Rnd3; 3rd>Rnd2)
H1: Trudy Todd (Aus) 14.25; Megan Abubo (Haw) 12.9; Jacqueline Silva (Brz) 9.5
H2: Kate Skarratt (Aus) 14.0; Heather Clark (SAfr) 13.9; Rochelle Ballard (Haw) 13.5
H3: Layne Beachley (Aus) 16.75; Pauline Menczer (Aus) 13.5; Helena Suehiro (Haw) 8.25
H4: Samantha Cornish (Aus) 15.9; Keala Kennelly (Haw) 12.75; Prue Jeffries (Aus) 8.0
H5: Melanie Redman-Carr (Aus) 11.1; Chelsea Georgeson (Aus) 8.75; Julia Christian (USA) 4.2
H6: Lynette MacKenzie (Aus) 13.25; Sofia Mulanovich (Peru) 12.9; Marie Pierre Abgrall (Fra) 10.5
Round Two (1st, 2nd>Rnd3; 3rd=17th receives US$2,000)
H1: Jacqueline Silva (Brz) 16.1; Julia Christian (USA) 13.75; Helena Suehiro (Haw) 9.35
H2: Marie Pierre Abgrall (Fra) 14.75; Rochelle Ballard (Haw) 14.1; Prue Jeffries (Aus) 11.4

Billabong Pro Maui Trials (1st>Main Event)
Helena Suehiro (Haw) 11.65; Elise Garrigue (Haw) 10.25; Moana Wietecha (Haw) 9.0; Leilane Gryde (Haw) 6.5; Page Alms (Haw) 6.4; Lilia Boerner (Haw) 4.75

   Jesse Faen.

Miércoles 10 de Diciembre 2003

Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters (Dec. 8-20)
Organizers Gearing Up For Thursday Start

   Wednesday, December 10, 2003 (Pipeline, Haw) The Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters was again postponed this morning due to unfavorable conditions. Organizers of the year-ending US$250,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) expect to start tomorrow, running through the Trials division and then into the first few main event heats.
Strong winds and 4ft (1.3m) waves out of the north direction are again on offer this morning at Pipeline. An occasionally good Backdoor righthander is exploding along the shallow reef break, but organizers are expecting tomorrow's new swell to hold more of the ideal west direction, with the famed Pipeline lefts doing their thing.
Following the late withdrawal of Darren O'Rafferty (Port Macquarie, Aus), as well as Michael Campbell - who re-injured his knee during competition at the Rip Curl Cup at Sunset Beach last week - nine surfers will now emerge from the Xbox Pipeline Masters Trials division. This means both semifinals and the otherwise planned Trials Final will no longer need to be contested, allowing a quicker progression into the main event draw.
The Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters has a 13-day waiting period (Dec 8-20) in which to select the best possible surf for the three days of competition required to determine a winner. Another decision will be made by 7am (local time) tomorrow.

   Jesse Faen.

Miércoles 10 de Diciembre 2003

Billabong Pro Maui (Dec. 8-20)
Small Surf Continues; Friday Start Predicted

   Wednesday, December 10, 2003 (Honolua Bay, Maui) The Billabong Pro Maui was again postponed this morning due to continued small surf. The US$60,000 Women's World Championship Tournament (WCT) is expected to commence Friday, climaxing with the final rounds on Saturday and crowning of both this year's world champion, as well as the event winner.
   Small 1-2ft (0.6m) surf remains at Honolua, with sporadic rainsqualls passing by.
  Organizers will evaluate conditions again tomorrow, but the swell outlook appears more promising for a Friday start at this stage, with the Billabong Pro Maui Trials kicking off the action to select the final surfer in the main event draw.
   Upcoming Billabong Pro Maui Round One Heats
H1: Jacqueline Silva (Brz); Trudy Todd (Aus); Megan Abubo (Haw)
H2: Heather Clark (SAfr); Rochelle Ballard (Haw); Kate Skarratt (Aus)
H3: Layne Beachley (Aus); Pauline Menczer (Aus); Trials wildcard winner
H4: Keala Kennelly (Haw); Samantha Cornish (Aus); Prue Jeffries (Aus)
H5: Chelsea Georgeson (Aus); Melanie Redman-Carr (Aus); Julia Christian (USA)
H6: Sofia Mulanovich (Peru); Lynette MacKenzie (Aus); Marie Pierre Abgrall (Fra)

   Jesse Faen.

Martes 9 de Diciembre 2003

Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters (Dec. 8-20)
Competition Again Postponed

   Tuesday, December 9, 2003 (Pipeline, Haw) Competition was again postponed today in the Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters due to unfavorable conditions. The US$250,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) will meet again tomorrow morning for a possible start with the Trials division and selection of eight remaining wildcard positions available for the main event.
Strong easterly winds and 4ft (1.3m) waves out of the north direction were on offer at Pipeline this morning, with only a couple of bodyboarders trying their luck at finding anything good. Heavy rain continues to fall on the north shore, creating less than picturesque Hawaiian conditions.
Due to the ever-growing list of WCT surfers forced to withdraw from the Xbox Pipeline Masters as a result of injuries, eight wildcard positions will now be selected through the Trials.
Darren O'Rafferty (Port Macquarie, Aus) is the latest casualty, having broken a toe yesterday. Fortunately his 2004 WCT position is already secure thanks to a great World Qualifying Series (WQS) campaign this year.
The Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters has a 13-day waiting period (Dec 8-20) in which to select the best possible surf for the three days of competition required to determine a winner. Daily updates will be available.
Follow the action live on the internet at www.aspworldtour.com or www.triplecrownofsurfing.com where you will find streaming video, audio commentary, live scores and results on the days that the competition takes place.
The Vans Triple Crown Series features the world's top athletes competing in three championship events in each of the following sports: Skateboarding, Wakeboarding, Surfing, Snowboarding, BMX and Freestyle Motocross.
   Jesse Faen.

Martes 9 de Diciembre 2003

Billabong Pro Maui (Dec. 8-20)
Small Surf Forces Postponement

   Tuesday, December 9, 2003 (Honolua Bay, Maui) Competition in the Billabong Pro Maui was postponed this morning due to small surf. The final US$60,000 Women's World Championship Tournament (WCT) of 2003 will begin as soon as conditions allow, with another decision made by 7am (local time) tomorrow.
Inconsistent 2ft (0.6m) surf was on offer at Honolua, with sporadic rainsqualls also plaguing Maui.
This years women's world title race is once again wide open with five surfers in contention at all-important Billabong Pro Maui tournament.
Current ratings leader Keala Kennelly (Haw) is in the driver's seat for her maiden title, though reigning five-time world champion Layne Beachley (Aus) is only 36-points behind. 2002 ASP 'Rookie of the Year' Chelsea Georgeson (Aus) adds to the 'pressure cooker' scenario, placed a mere 24-points behind Beachley in 3rd, followed by South Africa's Heather Clark and Peruvian sensation Sofia Mulanovich.
Beachley will face fellow Australian and 1993 World Champ Pauline Menczer - who won last year's World Qualifying Series (WQS) and placed runner-up in the Billabong Pro Maui - as well as the event Trials winner in round one.

Upcoming Billabong Pro Maui Round One Heats
H1: Jacqueline Silva (Brz); Trudy Todd (Aus); Megan Abubo (Haw)
H2: Heather Clark (SAfr); Rochelle Ballard (Haw); Kate Skarratt (Aus)
H3: Layne Beachley (Aus); Pauline Menczer (Aus); Trials wildcard winner
H4: Keala Kennelly (Haw); Samantha Cornish (Aus); Prue Jeffries (Aus)<