Sunset Beach is often described by surfers as a "wide-open playing field," so it's fitting that this year's Xcel Pro is still wide open when it comes to determining a favorite.

The second day of the 22nd annual Xcel Pro was completed yesterday in 4- to 8-foot waves at Sunset Beach.

Thirty-six surfers advanced to compete on the final day.

"When it comes to Sunset, it doesn't matter if it's big or small, it's always a real challenging arena," said Hau'ula's Tamayo Perry, who advanced to the fourth round. "That's why you can't overlook anybody. Any Joe Blow has a chance out here if you get the right waves."

Making matters more unpredictable, there are two conflicting events in Brazil this week. Many of the world's top-ranked surfers — including Andy Irons, Bruce Irons, Sunny Garcia, Kelly Slater and last year's Xcel Pro champion Fred Patacchia Jr. — are competing in Brazil.

"You have to go in with the same attitude no matter who's in it," Perry said. "As the local competitors, we always have to be hungry and be out to prove something no matter who you're up against."

One Hawai'i surfer who made it back from Brazil is Sunset Beach's Pancho Sullivan.

He lost in the early rounds of the Onbongo Pro and decided to rush his return to O'ahu. He arrived last night and was allowed to compete in the Xcel Pro as an alternate when another surfer failed to show.

"I'm pretty jet-lagged, actually," Sullivan said. "I got up around 4:30 (yesterday) morning and couldn't go back to sleep."

Still, Sullivan proved his worth as a three-time former winner of the Xcel Pro. His two-wave score of 16.5 was the best performance of the day.

"I felt like I was running on half-speed," he said. "But I was happy just to be surfing at home again and I wanted to make the most of the opportunity."

Many of Hawai'i's up-and-coming surfers are taking advantage of the missing top seeds.

Dustin Cuizon of 'Ewa Beach won his third-round heat with a two-wave score of 15.5. His near-perfect score of 9.0 was the best single wave of the day.

"It just opened up real nice so I did as many turns as I could and it worked out pretty good," said Cuizon, 20.

Maui's Hank Gaskell, 19, also won his third-round heat in impressive fashion.

"There's so many factors involved in this contest," he said. "You need the right boards, you need some experience, and luck is a big factor in getting the waves, too."

High school student Chas Chidester of O'ahu's North Shore also continued his surprising run yesterday. On Sunday, Chidester advanced through the first round despite showing up more than 10 minutes late for his heat.

Yesterday, he caught a wave at the last minute to advance to the fourth round.

"I wasn't even thinking, I just knew I had to do something," said Chidester, 16. "I don't even know how I did it."

Other standouts from Hawai'i included Rainos Hayes, Gavin Gillette, Ian Walsh, Makua Rothman, Marcus Hickman, Ross Williams, Raymond Reichle and Myles Padaca.

International surfers advancing to the fourth round included Australians Corey Garcia and Matt Thompson, and Japan's Norimasa Ohno, Shinpei Horiguchi and Mineto Ushikoshi.

"This wave is always tricky," said Thompson, who was a semifinalist last year. "But it's a really fun wave, and I find it easier to surf than some other places."

Contest officials have until Nov. 10 to run the final day of competition.

For daily updates, call 596-7873 or visit xcelwetsuits.com.

The Xcel Pro is considered the start of the North Shore surfing season. The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing will follow.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.