Posted on: Saturday, November 29, 2003

ISLE FILE
Centeio wins Rip Curl surf trials

Advertiser Staff

Makakilo's Joel Centeio advanced to his first World Championship surfing event by winning the Rip Curl Cup trials in 10- to 12-foot surf at Sunset Beach yesterday.

Centeio, a former world amateur champion, finished with 10.17 points and held off Tahiti's Manoa Drollet (9.57) and Hawai'i's Sean Moody (8.43) and Love Hodel (6.7). All four received spots in the first round of the Rip Curl Cup.

The first round is expected to begin at 8 a.m. today, pending conditions, meet officials said.

Centeio will face defending Rip Curl champ Joel Parkinson and Phil MacDonald in the first round.

Drollet has Kelly Slater, the Association of Surfing Professionals points leader in his heat. Hodel will face defending world champ Andy Irons and Kalani Robb in an all-Hawai'i first-round heat.

Bethany Hamilton, the 13-year-old who lost her left arm in a shark attack three weeks ago in waters off Kaua'i, attended yesterday's meet, ASP officials said.

For a status report on the meet, call 596-7873.