Top two women make Roxy Pro quarters

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

The men's surfing world championship is already clinched, but the women's race continues to surf toward a dramatic finish.

Megan Abubo of Waialua was one of four Hawai'i surfers advancing to the quarterfinals of the Roxy Pro yesterday. Bernie Baker • Special to The Advertiser

The first and second rounds of the women's contest were completed in 3- to 6-foot wave faces at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach.

"I don't think it's a long shot at all," Ballard said of her pursuit of Mulanovich. "I just have to do better than her in each event."

The Roxy Pro is the sixth of seven events on the 2004 women's World Championship Tour. Mulanovich currently has 4,512 points to Ballard's 4,032.

"It's been my dream since I was a little kid and I'm close to it," Mulanovich said.

Neither surfer has ever won a world title, and they both said there were some anxious moments yesterday.

"In the beginning of the heat, I was so nervous," Mulanovich said. "But once I started catching waves, I felt better."

Ballard added: "I was losing it this morning, and up until 10 minutes before my heat, I finally just let it go and realized this was the moment."

The waves were not in prime condition, but Ballard said she was prepared for anything.

"It's not really great Hale'iwa," she said. "But I'm looking at it like I'm surfing another spot on the tour, and that's what it would be like if I was in France or something like that."

Three other Hawai'i surfers advanced yesterday. Joining Ballard in the quarterfinals are Megan Abubo of Waialua, Melanie Bartels of Wai'anae and Keala Kennelly of Kaua'i.

Bartels is in her rookie season on the women's championship tour, and this is the first time she has reached the quarterfinals.

"This year has definitely been a learning experience for me," she said. "It's so different on this level; every heat is hard, and there's different strategies that I had to figure out."

The Vans Hawaiian Pro men's contest completed half of its second-round heats yesterday, also at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach.

Hawai'i surfers advancing were former world champ Sunny Garcia, Dustin Cuizon, Nathan Carroll, Mikala Jones and Jesse Merle-Jones.

Kaua'i's Andy Irons, who clinched his third consecutive men's world title last week, has a bye until the third round.

The Roxy Pro and Vans Hawaiian Pro are part of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Competition will continue when conditions are suitable.

For daily status, call 596-7873.

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