Irons-Slater showdown won't be 1-on-1 clash
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Andy Irons and Kelly Slater might be the only two surfers in contention for the 2003 world championship, but there are 30 others who could influence the race.
In what has become known simply as "The Showdown," Irons and Slater are still waiting for the final day of competition to run in the Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters.
IRONS
The contest was postponed for the third consecutive day yesterday because of poor conditions at the Banzai Pipeline. Randy Rarick, executive director of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, said he does not expect the contest to resume until Friday or Saturday.
When the waves cooperate, one more day of competition remains in the Pipeline Masters. On the day it runs, either Irons or Slater will win the world title before day's end. They are two of 32 surfers remaining in the Pipeline Masters.
"It's almost like we're throwing out the rest of the year and putting everything on this contest," said Slater, who owns a record six world championships. "So we should wait for the best day possible."
But for all the talk about the Irons vs. Slater battle, the two surfers can not meet one-on-one at Pipeline. In compliance with City & County of Honolulu rules, the Pipeline Masters is running four-man heats this year.
At every other World Championship Tour (WCT) contest held around the world, the surfers compete one-on-one.
"We're used to man-on-man competition and I wish the importance of that could be respected," Slater said. "I don't think it's right to surf under one format all year, and then have to change when we get to the end of the year in Hawai'i."
As Irons puts it: "Different tactics come into play in four-man heats. There's a lot more hassling for waves; it comes down to things other than just surfing."
Rarick said his attempt to get a waiver allowing one-on-one heats for this year's Pipeline Masters was rejected.
"It would have been a dream come true if we got (the waiver) and ended up with Andy and Kelly in the final," Rarick said. "But those are the rules as written so we have to play by them."
In any case, Irons and Slater can not surf in the same heat at the Pipeline Masters unless they reach the final. If they do, two other surfers would join them in the final.
"It'll be hard no matter what," Irons said. "But going up against three guys instead of one in a heat makes it harder."
Irons, who is from Hanalei, Kaua'i, is the defending world champion and currently ranked No. 2. Slater, who is from Florida, is currently No. 1. In essence, who ever does better in the Pipeline Masters will win the world title.
The Pipeline Masters is the final contest on both the 2003 WCT and the Triple Crown of Surfing. For daily status of the event, call 596-7873.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
