As expected, world champion Andy Irons is the top seed for next year's Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour. Hawaii returns 4
to ASP world tourStar-Bulletin staff
What was not expected is the gap between Irons and Hawaii's other surfers.
Kalani Robb will start 2003 seeded 13th while Shane Dorian is 16th and Sunny Garcia is 23rd. They are the only Hawaii surfers to qualify for the tour.
Irons was awarded the Triple Crown of Surfing Title on Tuesday after winning the world championship by scoring 60 more points than Joel Parkinson during the season.
Parkinson took the second spot -- and Australian surfers captured the two through eight positions.
Danilo Costa of Brazil took the 45th and final spot.
Notable surfers who did not make the cut are Marcelo Nunes of Brazil and Greg Emslie of South Africa.
The wildcard spots were given to Brazilians Flavio Padaratz and Guilherme Herdy and Australian Dean Morrison due to injuries suffered this season.
The world tour consists of 42 events throughout the world beginning at Sunset Beach in January and wrapping up in Haleiwa in December.
Association of Surfing Professionals WCT