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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 3:54 p.m., Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Kaua'i's Andy Irons captures OP Pro surf meet

Advertiser Staff

Kaua'i's Andy Irons edged Australia's Taj Burrow Tuesday to win the OP Pro Hawai'i men's professional surfing contest at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach.

In the final, Irons, the defending Triple Crown of Surfing champion, scored 13.00 on his two best waves. Burrow had 12.63 points, followed by Hawai'i's Joel Centeio (9.90) and France's Mikael Picon (8.50).

Irons, the former world champion, earned $15,000 for his victory in the OP Pro, the first leg of the Triple Crown. Centeio earned $6,000.

Irons defeated his brother Bruce in a four-man quarterfinal heat.

Other semifinalists were Luke Stedman of Australia, Joel Parkinson of Australia, Fred Patacchia of Hawai'i and Mick Fanning of Australia.

Waves were reported between 3 to 4 feet with northeasterly winds at 15 mph.

Bruce and Andy Irons, Patacchia Jr. and Centeio finished in the top two of their sixth-round heats Tuesday morning to advance. The Irons brothers finished in first in their heats, while Centeio and Patacchia were second.

Roy Powers of Hawai'i finished third in his Round 6 heat and was eliminated.

Florida's Kelly Slater, who has already clinched this year's world championship, was not entered in the OP Pro. He is expected to enter the second leg of the Triple Crown event at Sunset Beach. The holding period for that contest begins Saturday.

For details, call 596-7873 or go to triplecrownofsurfing.com.