Andy Irons ousted in Vans Hawaiian Pro

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

One major upset and one major no-show threw the Vans Hawaiian Pro men's surfing contest wide open yesterday.

Three-time world champion Andy Irons of Kaua'i was upended in the third round of the Vans Hawaiian Pro yesterday. Bernie Baker • Special to The Advertiser

"Andy's out; somebody has to step up now," said Hawai'i surfer Kalani Robb, who advanced to the fourth round.

The entire third round and half of the fourth round were completed in powerful waves at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach. Some wave-faces were estimated to be as high as 20 feet.

"Conditions are good," Robb said. "It's exactly what we were waiting for."

The Hawaiian Pro is the first contest in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Irons is the two-time defending champion of the Triple Crown title — which is awarded to the best overall surfer in the three North Shore contests.

Irons is not out of the running for this year's Triple Crown, but others now have a chance to move ahead of him.

Among the Hawai'i surfers advancing was his younger brother, Bruce Irons. "It would be a dream to win it," he said.

Bruce Irons caught one of the best barrel rides of the day, receiving a score of 8.83.

"I just pulled into that one," he said. "I couldn't see for a little bit because I hit the foam ball, but then it just shot me out."

Wai'anae's Sunny Garcia also showed that he is ready to add to his record number of Triple Crown titles. He won the last of his five Triple Crown championships in 2000.

He missed last year's Triple Crown because of a knee injury.

"Sitting here last year out of the water got me psyched to do well this year," said Garcia, 34.

Yesterday, he had the best overall score of the day, a two-wave total of 17.17 in the third round. Garcia also won his fourth-round heat to advance to the quarterfinals.

By the end of yesterday's action, only four Hawai'i surfers remained: Bruce Irons, Garcia, Robb and Nathan Carroll.

"I want to win this thing; I'm tired of messing around," Robb said. "My biggest problem is I get too comfortable and lazy when I come home. But this year, I'm really motivated. I never won a Triple Crown event before and I really want one."

Carroll, 19, is the most surprising Hawai'i surfer still in contention. "I don't know what's going on," he said. "I'm just going for it. I'm in rhythm. I just want to do well in the Triple Crown because I know it will help my career drastically."

Australia's Troy Brooks, who won the Hawaiian Pro at Hale'iwa last year, was eliminated yesterday.

Six-time former world champion Kelly Slater of Florida did not show up for his heat because he missed a flight to Hawai'i.

The final day of the competition is expected to run today. For status of the contest, call 596-7873.

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