The second and third rounds of the Pipeline Masters were completed yesterday in clean surf of 6 to 8 feet (with some wave-faces near 15 feet).

Irons is still the current three-time world champion, but his reign as the Pipeline champion also came to a halt yesterday. He won the Pipeline Masters in 2002 and 2003, lifting him to the Triple Crown title as well in both those years.

"The whole enchilada, I took it home," he said of the world title. "Pipe would have been nice to cap it off, but it didn't happen. Hopefully my brother wins it."

His younger brother, Bruce Irons, showed that he is capable yesterday. Bruce received a perfect score of 10 for an exceptionally long barrel ride in his third-round victory.

"I thought I was too late for that wave, but I dropped in and started pumping and it finally let me out," he said. "I was so relieved. Hopefully the waves continue for the finals."

On Wednesday, Bruce made history by winning the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational in 15- to 25-foot surf at Waimea Bay.

"It's been a crazy couple of days," he said. "Winning the Eddie a couple of days ago and now surfing really good Pipeline. From 25-foot Waimea to 6- to 8-foot barreling waves ... what more could you want?"

Wai'anae's Sunny Garcia wanted to surf with the Irons brothers in the Eddie Aikau contest, but he was placed on the alternate list this year. He said it only fueled his competitive fire yesterday.

"I think I earned a place in the Eddie, but I wasn't invited so I have a gripe with Quiksilver," Garcia said. "It's pretty disappointing that I won the Triple Crown five times, I won the world title once, and I was in the Eddie before, and all of a sudden this year I'm not. Well, now I want to win a sixth Triple Crown and really stick it to Quiksilver for not inviting me."

Garcia won his third-round heat yesterday and is one of the leaders in the chase for this year's Triple Crown. His five previous Triple Crown championships are already a record.

Australia's Phillip MacDonald advanced through the third round yesterday and holds a slight lead over Garcia in the Triple Crown standings.

The Pipeline Masters is the third, and final, event in the Triple Crown of Surfing. The Triple Crown championship goes to the best overall performer in the three North Shore events in the series.

Florida's Kelly Slater is not in the running for the Triple Crown, but he displayed perfect form in winning his third-round heat. He scored a perfect 10 for a long right-hand barrel, and then added a 9.83 for a left-hand barrel.

"It turned into a dream heat," he said. "I didn't get my first one until halfway through (the heat), so it was time to get aggressive."

Kalani Robb of O'ahu's North Shore shared a similar strategy. He won his third-round heat, helping to eliminate Andy Irons.

"Everybody's saying 'Yeah, you beat Andy!' But it's the first time I beat Andy all year," Robb said. "I think he beat everybody really bad this year. If he had a choice of winning the world title or winning that one heat, it's safe that he'd pick the world title."

By advancing through the third round, Robb also secured a spot on the 2005 World Championship Tour.

Only 16 surfers remain in contention for the final day of the Pipeline Masters. Among the 16 are five from Hawai'i: Bruce Irons, Garcia, Robb, Pancho Sullivan and Jamie O'Brien.

The final day of the contest is expected to run either today or tomorrow. For status of the event, call 596-7873 or visit triplecrownofsurfing.com.

Quarterfinal heats

Heat 1: Paulo Moura (Brazil), Toby Martin (Australia), Sunny Garcia (Hawai'i), Luke Egan (Australia).

Heat 2: Dean Morrison (Australia), Mark Occhilupo (Australia), Kalani Robb (Hawai'i), Tim Curran (California).

Heat 3: Kelly Slater (Florida), Pancho Sullivan (Hawai'i), Bruce Irons (Hawai'i), Phillip MacDonald (Australia).

Heat 4: Jamie O'Brien (Hawai'i), C.J. Hobgood (Florida), Shane Beschen (California), Cory Lopez (Florida).