World title within reach for Hawai'i's Abubo, Ballard
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Win and you're in.
G-Shock Hawaiian Pro (men) • When: Today-Nov. 25
Rip Curl Cup (men) • When: Nov. 26-Dec. 7
Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters (men) • When: Dec. 8-17
Roxy Pro (women) • When: Today-Nov. 25
Billabong Girls (women) • When: Nov. 25-Dec. 6
Bear Hawaiian Pro Longboard Invitational (men) • When: Today-Nov. 25 Daily status for all events: 596-7873
Simple as it might seem, that's what Hawai'i surfers Megan Abubo and Rochelle Ballard need to do at the Billabong Girls contest later this month to win an elusive world championship.
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2001 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing
• Where: Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach
• Prize purse: $100,000
• Status: First jewel in the Triple Crown and a 6-star World Qualifying Series contest
• Where: Sunset Beach
• Prize purse: $250,000
• Status: Second jewel in the Triple Crown and the final stop on the 2001 World Championship Tour
• Where: Pipeline, Ehukai Beach
• Prize purse: $150,000
• Status: Final jewel in the Triple Crown and a specialty contest featuring 48 invited surfers
• Where: Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach
• Prize purse: $20,000
• Status: 5-star World Qualifying Series contest
• Where: Honolua Bay, Maui
• Prize purse: $60,000
• Status: Final stop on the 2001 women's World Championship Tour
• Where: Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach
• Prize purse: $20,000
• Status: Specialty contest featuring the world's top longboard surfers
Because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the World Championship Tour of women's surfing has not held a contest since May. The Billabong Girls, scheduled for Nov. 25-Dec. 6 at Honolua Bay, Maui, is the third and final stop on the abbreviated 2001 tour.
"There's only three events that determine the world champion," said Ballard, who is from Kaua'i. "But that's given everybody a shot."
Indeed, at least 11 women are still in contention for the world championship. Abubo and Ballard are two of four surfers who can determine their own fate: win the Billabong Girls, and the world championship comes with it.
"I don't have to worry about anyone else," said Abubo, who is from Waialua. "I just have to worry about my own game plan."
Ballard is currently ranked No. 2; Abubo No. 4. Australian Layne Beachley, the three-time defending women's world champ, is No. 1, while fellow Australian Melanie Redman is tied with Ballard for No. 2.
Because the current standings are based on only two contests, none of the top four surfers is in an advantageous position heading into the Maui event.
"It's all about winning now," Ballard said. "That's how it should be if you want to be the world champ."
As if chasing the title weren't enough pressure, Abubo and Ballard are also chasing history.
It's been 20 years since a female surfer from Hawai'i has won a world championship. Margo Oberg last did it in 1981.
Abubo, 23, finished last year ranked No. 2; Ballard, 30, has placed in the top 10 for seven consecutive years, though never higher than No. 4.
"I'm actually not nervous about it," Ballard said. "Every time I think about it, I just get really excited and focused."
Beachley, 29, has been hampered by a recent neck injury, and has not yet been cleared by doctors to compete.
"It concerns me because I know I'm not at my best and there's so much at stake," Beachley said. "Basically, what it's going to come down to is performing under pressure, and there's going to be a load of pressure on all of us."
The Billabong Girls is one of two women's surfing events during the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. The Roxy Pro will be held at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach sometime between today and Nov. 25, but will not count toward the world championship standings.
MEN
Three men's contests will comprise the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, each with something significant at stake.
The G-Shock Hawaiian Pro, which will take place at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach sometime between today and Nov. 25, is the final event on the 2001 World Qualifying Series. The top performers in the final WQS standings will earn spots on the 2002 World Championship Tour.
The Rip Curl Cup, scheduled for Nov. 26-Dec. 7 at Sunset Beach, is the final stop on the 2001 World Championship Tour, and will determine the 2001 world champ.
C.J. Hobgood of Florida is currently ranked No. 1, followed by Australian Mark Occhilupo.
Defending world champ Sunny Garcia of Wai'anae is No. 5, and Andy Irons of Kaua'i is No. 6. Both Hawai'i surfers have an outside shot at winning the world title — they would have to win the Rip Curl Cup and hope for Hobgood, Occhilupo and a few others to falter early in the contest.
"Bottom line is I have to win and they have to do terrible," Garcia said. "The only thing I can control out of that is me winning, so I'm not going to worry about anything else."
The Triple Crown will conclude with the Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters, scheduled for Dec. 8-17 at Ehukai Beach. The contest will feature an invitation-only field of the most respected surfers in the world.
