Irons dominates, Garcia moves on in Rip Curl

Bells Beach, Australia -World #10 Andy Irons dominated the day’s last heat against fellow Hawaiian and world #6 Kalani Robb to advance to the fourth round of the Rip Curl Pro in Bells Beach, Austrailia Thursday, while fellow Kauaian Sunny Garcia was ousted in the third round by..

The 23-year-old Irons posted a 9.0 en-route to leaving his close friend in need of 8.86-points.

He now meets Rocha, who eliminated him from the Rip Curl Cup at the end of 2001 to spoil his then world title hopes.

“That was unreal,” began Irons, after the win. “It was like old school. I know he surfs really well, and if he had of gotten the waves I did, he probably would have beaten me. I surf with him all the time, and we’re pretty competitive, but I definitely didn’t feel as nervous against him as in earlier heats.”

On Rocha:

“Renan’s a tough competitor, and he’s beaten me before, so I’m just going to put my head down and hopefully get some payback.”

Three-time Rip Curl Pro winner and 2000 world champion and Kauaian Sunny Garcia (Haw) continued his campaign to match the record of four Bells’ trophies by defeating world #5 Jake Paterson (Aus).

The 32 year old started a little slower than his opponent, but then picked off an 8.15 and ultimately the win with two more solid rides.

In other bouts, World champion CJ Hobgood (USA) was eliminated from the 30th Anniversary Rip Curl Pro by newcomer Kieren Perrow (Aus).

Perrow will now face Byron Bay resident Danny Wills, who dominated his heat today against another WCT newcomer, Australian Lee Winkler.

1998 Rip Curl Pro winner and 1999 world champ Mark Occhilupo (Aus) continued his amazing form, posting the highest total of the 2002 tournament for 26.45-points against world #18 Flavio Padaratz (Brz). Occhilupo will now face #2 Taj Murrow.

Round four of the US$250,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) was completed, with the final rounds expected to resume sometime today.