Kennelly wins OP Pro surf meet in Indonesia

Advertiser Staff

Kaua'i's Keala Kennelly earned the largest paycheck of her surfing career after winning the women's division of the OP Pro yesterday off the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia.

Kennelly, 22, defeated fellow Kaua'i surfer Rochelle Ballard in the one-on-one final held in 3- to 5-foot waves.

Kennelly earned $20,000 for the victory, plus a $2,500 bonus earlier in the week. Her total of $22,500 for the week-long contest was just $2,000 short of the total prize money she won all of last year.

Kennelly recorded several high-scoring barrel rides to dominate yesterday's final. Ballard, who won the inaugural OP Pro last year, had several long rides, but could not match Kennelly's consistency.

Only four women were invited to compete in the event: Kennelly, Ballard and Australians Layne Beachley and Serena Brooke.

Also yesterday, Bruce Irons of Kaua'i won the "second chance" heat in the men's division. He will join his older brother, Andy, and Australian Mark Occhilupo in the semifinals.

The third-place performer from that semifinal heat will be eliminated, leaving two surfers for a one-on-one final. The men's champion will receive $30,000.

Shane Dorian of Kailua-Kona was eliminated along with Tim Curran of California and C.J. Hobgood of Florida.