Florida's Hobgood rides big waves to O'Neill World Cup victory
Advertiser Staff
C.J. Hobgood of Florida won the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing in big waves today at Sunset Beach.
The final day of the contest was completed in wave-face heights that were in the 15- to 25-foot range.
Hobgood received a score of 8.5 (out of 10) with about six minutes remaining in the final heat to secure the victory. He received $15,000 for the win.
Hobgood finished with a two-wave score of 15.0. It was his first victory in a North Shore contest.
Tom Whitaker of Australia placed second with a two-wave score of 12.67.
Marcus Hickman of Sunset Beach was the top Hawai'i surfer, placing third. Jordy Smith of South Africa was fourth.
The O'Neill World Cup was the second of three contests in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series.
Maui's Dusty Payne tied for fifth place and is the current leader in the overall Triple Crown standings.
The third contest, the Billabong Pipeline Masters, is scheduled to run Dec. 8 to 20 at the Banzai Pipeline.
