Posted on: Monday, July 19, 2004

ISLE FILE
Uemura second at longboard contest

Advertiser Staff

Joel Tudor of San Diego defeated Hawai'i's Kekoa Uemura to win the Nokia International Longboard Bear Championships yesterday at Biarritz, France.

Tudor, who won $35,000, was awarded the world championship, his second in six years.

In 4- to 5-foot surf, Tudor scored 16 (out of 20) points on two rides, while Uemura had 11.75.

In the semifinals, Tudor beat South Africa's Mathew Moir (17.90 to 16.50) and Uemura beat Hawai'i's Bonga Perkins (13.75 to 12.50).

In past years, a world tour determined the world champion. But because of conflicts in scheduling and sponsorships, the world title was awarded to the winner of the week-long contest in Biarritz.

At the Billabong Pro in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, competition was postponed because of poor surf yesterday.

Hawai'i's Andy Irons and Sunny Garcia are among the surfers who have advanced to the round of 16.

GOLF

Acia, Fite share lead at Mauna Lani

Rodney Acia and Rich Fite share the lead after yesterday's first day of the Aloha Section Callaway Golf PGA Senior Club Professional Championship at the South Course of the Mauna Lani Resort.

Acia, representing Hilo Municipal Golf Course, and Fite, of Kaua'i Lagoons, are at 1-over-par 73. Steven Ho'okano and Ron Kiaaina, Jr., are two strokes behind entering today's final round.

The top three earn berths in October's National Senior Club Pro in St. Lucie, Fla.

BASEBALL

Hilo team will play for tournament title

Avery Kagawa hit a two-run homer in the third inning to lift Hilo to a 12-2 victory over Oregon and into today's championship game of the Division I Little League Big League tournament at Snider Field at Poulsbo, Wash.

Hilo (2-0) faces either Oregon or Washington today in the double-elimination tournament for 16- to 18-year-olds. If Hawai'i loses, a second game will be played. The winner goes to the regional tournament in San Bernardino, Calif., later this week.

After Oregon took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second, Hilo scored three runs in the third. Owen Otsuka doubled to right and Jeremy Kaaukai doubled to left to score Otsuka. Kagawa then homered to left for a 3-2 lead. Hilo added six runs in the fifth inning.

Three members of the team, representing Keaukaha Baseball of Hilo, were members of the team that won the Senior League World Series last year.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Scott, Rogers finish fourth in France

Punahou alum Sean Scott and partner Todd Rogers finished fourth after forfeiting the third-place match at the World Series 13 pro beach volleyball event at Marseille, France, yesterday.

Argentina's Mariano Baracetti and Martin Conde were awarded third because of injury to the Scott-Rogers team. The injury was not specified by the Swatch-FIVB World Tour.

Benjamin Insfran and Marcio Araujo beat Patrick Heuscher and Stefan Kobel, 12-21, 22-20, 15-12, in the men's final.

Kerri Walsh and Rachel Wacholder won the women's title.