Isle File
Surfers Ballard, Abubo eliminated in Maui

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i surfers Megan Abubo and Rochelle Ballard were eliminated from the women's world title race after the first day of the Billabong Pro Maui yesterday.

Abubo and Ballard were upset by lower-ranked surfers in the first round, which was completed in 3- to 6-foot waves at Honolua Bay.

Abubo, who entered the contest ranked No. 4, was defeated by No. 14 Kylie Webb of Australia. Ballard, ranked No. 2, lost to Australian Pauline Menczer, who is No. 12.

"My life's happiness doesn't depend on winning the world title," Ballard said. "We all have such great lives with our surfing careers, but to win would have been sweet."

Kaua'i's Keala Kennelly defeated Australian Kate Skarratt to advance to the quarterfinals. Kennelly, ranked No. 5, still has a shot at the world championship, but she needs to advance to the final of this event.

Three-time defending world champion Layne Beachley of Australia won her first-round heat, and is in the best position to win another world title.

"I'm glad the event started, just to get the first heat nerves out of the way," she said. "Knowing that the main world title contender, Rochelle Ballard, was knocked out made things easier."

• Rip Curl postponed: The men's Rip Curl Cup was postponed yesterday because of a lack of surf at Sunset Beach. Two more days of competition are required to determine both the event champion and 2001 world champ.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

• Metzger-Wong fifth: Hawai'i's Stein Metzger and Kevin Wong, partners on the professional beach volleyball tour, finished the men's season fifth in the world rankings.

Metzger and Wong, Punahou School graduates, won $94,000 in prize money, and were the highest United States finishers.

Brazil's Tande Ramos and Emanuel Rego finished first on the tour, earning $223,000. Ramos and Rego defeated Jose Loiola and Ricardo Santos in yesterday's championship match of the final event of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour on Camburi Beach in Brazil.

WATER POLO

• Stanford wins title: Stanford defeated UCLA, 8-5, yesterday to win the NCAA Division I Men's Water Polo Championship at Stanford, Calif.

UCLA goalie and Punahou graduate Brandon Brooks had five saves for the Bruins. He was named to the tournament's second team.