Bruneau masters Pipeline

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

The prestigious Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters has yet to start, but Mikey Bruneau of O'ahu's North Shore was already feeling like a champion yesterday.

Mikey Bruneau of O'ahu's North Shore earned one of two wildcard spots in the Pipeline Masters. Bernie Baker • Special to The Advertiser

The trials rounds were completed in treacherous waves of 6 to 12 feet at the Banzai Pipeline.

"I get to surf Pipe again with some big dogs for some money," Bruneau, 21, said. "It's so much fun. I love this place, as scary as it is."

The Pipeline Masters is a World Championship Tour contest, so only the top 44 surfers in the world rankings are allowed to compete. The trials are staged every year to give the unranked surfers a shot.

Prior to yesterday, Bruneau was considered a long shot. He has been practicing regularly at Pipeline in recent years, but yesterday was the first time he was allowed into the trials.

"I try to surf this place when ever it's good," he said. "But I never expected this. I can't believe I won it."

The trials started with 40 surfers, most of them from Hawai'i. In effect, it is a contest to get into another contest, with only the top two finishers from the trials earning a spot in the Pipeline Masters.

Among the notable entries in the trials were former world champions Derek Ho and Tom Curren, and Hawai'i big-wave surfers Makua Rothman, Myles Padaca and Shane Dorian.

"The competition is crazy," Bruneau said. "Everybody rips, and this is only the trials."

In the final, Bruneau proved his worth early, riding through a big barelling wave in the opening minute of the heat. He received a score of 8.83 for a lead he would not relinquish.

Later in the heat, he made it out of another barelling wave for a score of 8.0, giving him a two-wave total of 16.33.

"For the last heat, (the waves) glassed off and I told myself it was time to find a real barrel," Bruneau said.

Santos had a two-wave total of 14.2, and was the only other surfer to come close to Bruneau.

"When I woke up this morning, I never thought I would be one of the two competitors making it through to the main event," Santos said. "I love this wave and think it's the best in the world."

Brian Pacheco of Wai'anae placed third, and Dorian of the Big Island was fourth.

As their reward, Bruneau and Santos will be pitted against the top seeds in the Pipeline Masters. One of them will likely have to go against three-time world champion Andy Irons. The other will likely be up against Kelly Slater or Sunny Garcia.

"All those guys are legends to me," Bruneau said. "But anyone is beatable out here."

The first round of the Pipeline Masters could run today if conditions allow. For status of the contest, call 596-7873.

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