Kennelly welcomes No. 1 pressure

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

"If I wasn't in first, there would be no pressure," Keala Kennelly says. Advertiser library photo Vans Hawaiian Pro for men and Roxy Pro for women What: The opening contests in the 2003 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing When: Best four days between tomorrow and Nov. 23 Where: Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach At stake: World Qualifying Series (WQS) contest for both men and women Daily status: 596-7873

Keala Kennelly is taking her No. 1 ranking on the women's World Championship Tour of surfing as a privilege.

"If I wasn't in first, there would be no pressure," said Kennelly, who is from Kaua'i. "So why not accept the pressure if it means being in first?"

In truth, there is a lot riding on Kennelly's rides.

Entering the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing — which is scheduled to begin its holding period tomorrow — the top-ranked Kennelly is one of only five women still in contention for the 2003 world title.

"I'm in the lead right now, but that really doesn't matter because it's so close," said Kennelly, 25.

One of the other contenders happens to be Australian Layne Beachley, the five-time defending world champ who is ranked No. 2. Through the first four events of the world tour, Kennelly has 3,120 points to Beachley's 3,084.

The other contenders are Chelsea Georgeson of Australia (3,060 points), Heather Clark of South Africa (2,844) and Sofia Mulanovich of Peru (2,424).

"Everybody is paying attention to me and Layne, but the other girls are incredible surfers," Kennelly said.

Even though she is No. 2, Beachley appears confident.

"To be completely honest, I'm not as nervous or feeling as pressured as the last few years," Beachley said. "I've proven myself. I have the experience, I have the knowledge, and I have the equipment. I know what it takes to win the world title and the girls in contention don't, so I'm going to rest on that."

Kennelly does indeed have many obstacles to clear besides Beachley.

For one, no surfer from Hawai'i has won the women's world championship since Margo Oberg in 1981 — when Kennelly was 3.

What's more, Kennelly has never won a professional contest in Hawai'i, even though she is regarded as one of the best female big-wave surfers in the world (along fellow Kaua'i surfer Rochelle Ballard and Beachley).

"It all comes down to that one day," Kennelly said. "All you have to do is have a good day on the last day of the contest and be the last woman standing. I'm just going to worry about myself and take it heat by heat."

Although there are three contests in the Triple Crown of Surfing, only one — the Billabong Pro at Honolua Bay, Maui, from Dec. 8-20 — will count toward the world championship standings.

However, all the female contenders will enter the three Triple Crown events.

In addition to a world title, Kennelly is seeking her first Triple Crown championship, which is awarded to the top overall performer in the three events.

"It's about time a Hawaiian won the Hawaiian Triple Crown," she said. "That makes the other two contests as big as Maui."

In Kennelly's favor is her hometown's heritage.

She was raised in Hanalei, which has recently emerged as a city of surf champions.

Andy Irons, the defending men's world champ, was also raised in Hanalei along with his younger brother, Bruce.

Andy is 20 days older than Kennelly, and they were classmates from preschool through high school.

"I remember playing soccer with Andy and Bruce when we were young, but mostly it was surfing," Kennelly said. "We were all good at it from a young age and so we kept at it and got better. I don't know what it is about that place, but yeah, it would be something to have more than one world champion from there."

NOTES: The first jewels in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing will be held on the best four days between tomorrow and Nov. 23. The men's contest is the Vans Hawaiian Pro; the women's contest is the Roxy Pro. Both events will be staged at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach. Surf conditions will determine whether the men or women surf each day.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.

Men's events

Vans Hawaiian Pro

• Where: Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach
• When: Nov. 12-23
• Status: 6-star World Qualifying Series contest
• At stake: $125,000 purse; final stop on the 2003 WQS

Rip Curl Cup

• Where: Sunset Beach
• When: Nov. 24-Dec. 7
• Status: World Championship Tour contest
• At stake: $250,000 purse; 11th of 12 stops on the 2003 WCT

Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters

• Where: Banzai Pipeline
• When: Dec. 8-20
• Status: World Championship Tour contest
• At stake: $250,000 purse; final stop on the 2003 WCT

Women's events

Roxy Pro

• Where: Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach
• When: Nov. 12-23
• Status: 6-star World Qualifying Series contest
• At stake: $30,000 purse; 14th of 15 stops on the 2003 WQS

Turtle Bay Resort Pro

• Where: Turtle Bay
• When: Nov. 24-Dec. 7
• Status: 4-star World Qualifying Series contest
• At stake: $20,000 purse; final stop on the 2003 WQS

Billabong Pro

• Where: Honolua Bay, Maui
• When: Dec. 8-20
• Status: World Championship Tour contest
• At stake: $60,000 purse; final stop on the WCT