The surfing on O'ahu's North Shore and across the Internet will truly be international for the upcoming Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

The Triple Crown — a series of three events at three different North Shore beaches — is scheduled to begin its holding period today. The first event, the Op Pro Hawai'i, will run whenever the conditions are favorable between today and Nov. 22.

More than 200 professional surfers from around the world are on O'ahu's North Shore for the Triple Crown, competing for prize money, points on the world tour, and prestige.

"It's been said year after year, this is where the surfers really have to prove themselves," Triple Crown executive director Randy Rarick said. "It's no different this year. Hopefully, the surf will cooperate."

Because the waves in Hawai'i are considered to be consistently bigger and better than almost anywhere else in the world, the Triple Crown championship is one of the most coveted awards in the sport.

It also means that millions of eyes will be watching.

Crowds on the beach have been approaching 10,000 in recent years, according to Rarick.

"We don't really push for people to come out to the North Shore and watch," he said. "But we're still getting these huge crowds, so word is getting out somehow."

These days, it's mostly through the Internet. Triple Crown contests can be viewed via a live Web site at www.triplecrownof surfing.com.

Rarick said last year's live coverage of the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters drew 1.2 million visitors to the site.

"We think it might hit 2 million this year," he said. "Everybody wants instant information now, and so the Web coverage has actually overshadowed our TV coverage."

The Triple Crown events will be televised on Fuel TV in January or February.

MEN CHASING POINTS ON WQS AND WCT

Most years, the world championship is also determined during the Triple Crown. However, Florida's Kelly Slater has already clinched the 2006 world title.

Slater, who now has a record eight world championships, is scheduled to participate in two of the three contests of the Triple Crown (he will skip the first event).

"Kelly's got nothing to lose," Rarick said. "So it'll be interesting to watch him perform. He can come to Hawai'i and try some really creative and innovative surfing, knowing that he's already got the world title wrapped up."

Kaua'i's Andy Irons is the defending Triple Crown champion, and ranked No. 5 on the World Championship Tour.

"I think Andy will be hungry to prove that he's still the man to beat in Hawaiian waters," Rarick said. "Here in Hawai'i, Andy's record is better than (Slater's), so there's still going to be that anticipation of a Kelly-Andy match up."

The Triple Crown is the final stop for both the World Qualifying Series and the World Championship Tour, so many surfers will be battling for points. The WCT is the elite tour that determines the world champion; the WQS is the qualifying tour to get surfers on to the WCT.

The top 27 ranked surfers on the WCT after the Triple Crown will requalify for the elite tour in 2007. The top 15 from the WQS will move up to the WCT.

"A lot of careers are on the line," Rarick said.

For example, Dustin Cuizon, of 'Ewa Beach, is currently ranked No. 23 on the WQS. A strong showing in the Triple Crown could push him up to the elite WCT in 2007.

Pancho Sullivan of Sunset Beach was in a similar situation to Cuizon last year. By winning the Op Pro Hawai'i last year, Sullivan earned enough points to qualify for the 2006 WCT.

Sullivan is ranked No. 26 on the WCT, so he needs a strong showing again in the Triple Crown, or he could lose his spot on the elite tour.World title on the line for women's events

Slater has already clinched the men's world championship, but the 2006 world title for women is far from over.

Australians Layne Beachley, Melanie Redman-Carr and Chelsea Georgeson are all in contention.

Beachley is currently No. 1 and seeking her seventh world championship; Redman-Carr is No. 2 and after her first world title; Georgeson is No. 3 and the defending world champion.

Georgeson clinched last year's world title by winning the women's Triple Crown title.

Several Hawai'i surfers on the women's tour need strong showings in the Triple Crown to secure spots for 2007.

Megan Abubo is No. 9 on the women's WCT, Rochelle Ballard is No. 13, and Keala Kennelly is No. 14. Only the top 10 women at the end of the Triple Crown will requalify for the 2007 WCT.

On the women's qualifying series, Melanie Bartels of Wai'anae and Leilani Gryde from the Big Island could get called up to the 2007 WCT with strong showings in the Triple Crown.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.