Posted on: Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Defending champ Dosland rolls on

Advertiser Staff

Defending champion Tom Dosland of Maui was one of 18 Hawai'i surfers to advance to the fifth round of the Monster Energy Pro yesterday.

The fourth round was completed in barreling 4- to 6-foot waves at the Banzai Pipeline.

Dosland placed second in his heat, but the top two from each heat advanced. As the defending champion, Dosland received a bye into the fourth round.

"Yeah, I was nervous," Dosland said. "Really nervous. A lot of pressure."

Veteran surfer Rob Machado of California edged Dosland to win the heat. Machado received a near-perfect score of 9.75 (out of 10) for the longest barrel ride of the day.

"I knew heading out there that was a stacked heat," Machado said. "That first ride I had was really nice."

Daniel Ross of Australia was the standout of the day, recording a two-wave score of 17.05. His two best barrel rides received scores of 8.80 and 8.25.

Pancho Sullivan of Sunset Beach was the top Hawai'i surfer with a two-wave score of 15.4.

Other standouts from Hawai'i included Dustin Barca, Jamie O'Brien and Brian Pacheco.

Unseeded surfers Kalani Chapman of O'ahu's North Shore and Carlos Cabrero of Puerto Rico continued to make impressive showings. Both have been advancing through the contest since the first round of the trials.

Two-time former world champion Tom Curren of California also advanced yesterday. At 40, he is the oldest surfer in the contest.

Among the surfers eliminated yesterday were former world champion Derek Ho and former Triple Crown champion Myles Padaca.

Thirty-two surfers remain for the final day of competition. Contest officials have until Monday to run the final day.

The event started with more than 170 surfers representing 12 countries.

The contest is part of surfing's World Qualifying Series. Three-time world champion Andy Irons of Kaua'i is not entered.

For the daily status of the contest, call 596-7873.

Fifth round heats

Heat 1: Kalani Chapman (Hawai'i), Andrew King (Australia), Jesse Merle-Jones (Hawai'i), Kainoa McGee (Hawai'i).

Heat 2: Mikey Bruneau (Hawai'i), Sean Moody (Hawai'i), Pancho Sullivan (Hawai'i), Dustin Cuizon (Hawai'i).

Heat 3: Daniel Ross (Australia), Dustin Barca (Hawai'i), Ola Eleogram (Hawai'i), Tom Dosland (Hawai'i).

Heat 4: Carlos Cabrero (Puerto Rico), Andrew Cortney (Australia), Naoshi Ogawa (Japan), Rob Machado (California).

Heat 5: Tom Curren (California), Gavin Beschen (California), Kamalei Alexander (Hawai'i), Jamie O'Brien (Hawai'i).

Heat 6: Brian Pacheco (Hawai'i), Masatoshi Ohno (Japan), Raymond Reichle (Hawai'i), Ian Walsh (Hawai'i).

Heat 7: Anthony Walsh (Australia), Dayan Neve (Australia), Evan Valiere (Hawai'i), Makua Rothman (Hawai'i).

Heat 8: Tiago Pires (Portugal), Nathan Carroll (Hawai'i), Dane Reynolds (California), Richard Sills (South Africa).