Andy Irons prevails in France
Advertiser Staff
Two-time defending world champion Andy Irons defeated his younger brother, Bruce Irons, to win the Quiksilver Pro France yesterday.
The final day of the competition was completed in epic 8- to 12-foot waves at "La Nord" off Hossegor, France.
The Irons brothers are from Hanalei, Kaua'i, and yesterday was the first time they met in a one-on-one final as pro surfers.
"Probably one of the most memorable wins of my whole life," said Andy, 26. "To have my brother in it, and to be in the south of France with 10-foot waves ... it was awesome."
Andy opened the final with a barrel ride that received a score of 9.0 (out of 10) to give him a lead he would not relinquish.
Andy's final two-wave score of 17.0 beat Bruce's total of 12.0. Andy received $30,000 for the win, and Bruce got $16,000.
"I didn't expect to see waves like this," said Bruce, 24. "I've had such a bad start to the year, so to do well here ... I'm really stoked, especially to surf the final against my brother."
Prior to yesterday, Bruce had not advanced past the third round in a contest this year.
Bruce scored a perfect 10 in his semifinal victory over six-time world champion Kelly Slater. Bruce's elimination of Slater helped Andy move one step closer to a third consecutive world title.
Through eight of 11 contests on the 2004 World Championship Tour, Andy is ranked No. 1 with 7,236 points. Slater is second with 6,192.
Andy eliminated Wai'anae's Sunny Garcia in the semifinals. It was Garcia's best placing of the year, and he moved up to No. 14 in the overall ratings.
Kalani Robb of O'ahu's North Shore is No. 26, and Bruce Irons is No. 28. The next contest is scheduled to begin this week in Spain.
Abubo wins women's contest in California
Megan Abubo of Waialua won the inaugural Rip Curl Pro women's event yesterday in 1- to 3-foot waves at Malibu, Calif.
Abubo defeated Brazil's Maria Tita Tavares in the final, 11.5-8.5. It was Abubo's first victory in more than two years.
"The final was really tough because I hit a batch of seaweed on my first wave and went flying," Abubo, 26, said. "It messed with me for a second, but I've been doing a lot of work with my mental state and I got past that."
Earlier in the day, Abubo beat Kaua'i surfers Keala Kennelly in the quarterfinals, and Rochelle Ballard in the semifinals.
Abubo received $10,000 for the victory and moved up to No. 9 on the women's 2004 World Championship Tour.
Through five of seven contests, Peru's Sofia Mulanovich is No. 1 with 4,512 points. Ballard is No. 2 with 4,032.
Kennelly is No. 8, and Melanie Bartels of Wai'anae is No. 14.
The final two contests of the tour will be staged in Hawai'i: Roxy Pro at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach, Nov. 12 to 24; Billabong Pro at Honolua Bay, Maui, Dec. 8 to 19.
