In clean surf in the 8-to-10-foot face range at O’ahu’s Sunset Beach yesterday, Hanalei native Andy irons moved quite a bit closer to winning his second consecutive world title.
Finishing second to West Australian Jake Paterson in the final at Rip Curl Cup, coupled with World Number One, Kelly Slater’s departure in the third round, moved Irons within 96 points of the title of the World Championship Tour. The finish sets up a showdown at the world’s most famous surf break, Pipeline, at the Xbox Pipeline Masters, Dec. 8-20.
Also on Dec. 8, Women’s World Championship Tour leader and fellow Hanalei native Keala Kennelly will try to secure her first world title at the Billabong Pro at Honolua Bay, Maui.
“Coming into Pipeline is a dream come true,” said Irons after the final. “I’m coming from behind and Kelly’s got the lead, but I think the pressure is more on him than me right now. I’m just psyching on it and hopefully a couple of Trialists take him out early there too. I’m going for it for sure. It’s on.”
With a swell from the northwest finally making it to Sunset, perfect surf was on offer throughout the day from the ideal direction. Huge barrels exploded on the inside bowl section, with scores of epic tube rides enthralling the strong beach crowd, including Australian tennis star Mark Philippoussis, who was on hand to witness the amazing display.
Paterson, in his first WCT final of the season, created an early lead over Irons, Kona native Shane Dorian and fellow West Australian Taj Burrow. With some of the most critical forehand snaps and powerful carves of the entire tournament, he posted a 9.07 and another 8.57 for the highest combined points total of the 2003 Rip Curl Cup.
Irons, 25, countered with the only perfect 10-point ride of the tournament, taking the lead for a couple of seconds. Paterson, on the very next wave, scored his 8.57 to lead with 11 minutes to go. Although Irons needed a 7.64 to win, no one scored more than a six-point ride after that.
“I’ve never been as sore in my life,” said Irons, completely exhausted afterward. “My body feels like one big cramp. I needed another score. Usually when you get a (perfect) 10, you’re pretty set, but Jake had two really good waves and I couldn’t catch him. Stoked to get second though.”
Nonetheless, he bridged a huge ratings gap and is now 96 points behind Kelly Slater. Whoever places further in the year-ending Pipeline Masters will secure the 2003 world title in one of the most eagerly awaited showdowns of professional surfing history.
Six-time world champion Kelly Slater, of Florida, had his hopes of clinching a record-breaking seventh title at Sunset squashed, losing to Paterson and Hawaiian Kalani Robb in round three. He won back-to-back WCT titles in the previous two events and held a massive ratings leading into the Rip Curl Cup. His elimination opened the door for Irons to regain lost ground.
“I’ve got to get my head back in it,” he added, of the looming title showdown at Pipeline. “I’ve just been relaxing the past couple of weeks and not really in contest mode or form, but I think this is probably what everyone wanted. Coming down to Pipe, and the points are close, so we’ll see what happens. There’s a lot of sand there, so it’s probably not going to be perfect Pipe. You’re going to have to know the wave pretty well in different conditions, and I do. If I knew Sunset like I do Pipe, I would have made that heat probably. It’s just going to come down to finding the right waves.”
Paterson, 30, claimed his fourth WCT victory, pocketed $30,000 and jumped into ninth on the WCT ratings.
He also added his name alongside older brother Paul’s to the Rip Curl Cup honor roll (1996 winner), making them the second brothers act since Hawaiians Michael and Derek Ho claimed their respective Cups more than a decade ago. He’s now leading the Triple Crown of Surfing ratings following his finals berth at nearby Haleiwa in the recent World Qualifying Series event.
The West Australian, who won the Pipeline Masters in 1998, is a clear favorite heading into the final tournament at the same venue.
