Posted at 3:44 p.m., Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Pancho Sullivan wins Pipeline Pro surf event
Advertiser Staff
Pancho Sullivan of Sunset Beach scored a perfect 10 in the final to win the Billabong Monster Energy Pipeline Pro men's surfing contest today.The fifth round, quarterfinals, semifinals and final were all run today at the Banzai Pipeline in wave-face heights that ranged from 3 to 8 feet.
Sullivan held the lead for most of the 30-minute final, and secured the victory with a perfect score of 10 for a long barrel ride with around 13 minutes remaining.
His two best waves received a total score of 18.75.
Sullivan received $7,000 for the victory. He was ranked No. 7 in the world in 2007, but had to compete from the trials round for this contest due to a late registration.
Fred Patacchia Jr. of O'ahu's North Shore placed second with a two-wave score of 14.25. He conceded the victory to Sullivan by paddling to shore with 10 minutes remaining in the final.
Kaua'i surfers Roy Powers and Dustin Barca placed third and fourth, respectively.
The contest featured surfers from California, Florida, Puerto Rico, Australia, Brazil and Japan, but Hawai'i competitors took the top 12 places.
Pipeline specialist Jamie O'Brien, who won the contest last year, was eliminated in the fifth round.
