KAREN WILSON / ASPWORLDTOUR.COM Andy Irons of Kauai totaled 12.83 points yesterday in the first round of the Pipeline Masters, good enough to move directly into the third round.

Irons, Slater
master Pipeline

The accomplished surfers, with
nine world titles between them,
advance right to the third round

The biggest show in surfing is now truly under way.

After nearly a week of waiting since its one-day trials segment ended, the 34th annual Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters resumed yesterday with the opening round of the main event.

Waves were ideal and in the 12- to 16-foot-face range at the Banzai Pipeline, a break known around the world for its huge, barreling waves and barely underwater reef -- all only yards offshore from spectators, near Ehukai Beach Park.

The Pipeline Masters is the longest-running contest anywhere, and is the season-ender for the World Championship Tour and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, a series of three events on Oahu's North Shore.

Forty-eight of the world's best surfers in the field.

Record six-time world and five-time Pipeline Masters champ Kelly Slater posted the highest overall heat score yesterday, dominating and advancing directly into the third round with a two-wave total of 19.10 points (out of 20 maximum) that included a 9.33 barrel, and then a near-perfect 9.77 ride.

"Today was fun," said the 32-year-old Floridian. "I'm out of the (world title) race and it's over, so I went out there without any pressure and just loosened up. It's one of those perfect-sized days. ... I'm just trying to have fun here and read what's going on in the water. If I do that, things usually seem to go my way."

Things also went favorably for Kauai's Andy Irons, who already wrapped up his third straight world championship last month and enters the Pipeline Masters as the two-time defending event and Triple Crown champ.

Irons also moved directly into the third round by winning his heat with 12.83 total points. Trials winner Mikey Bruneau, also from Hawaii, placed third in the same heat with 11.50 and has to surf in the second round.

"That heat was tough," said the 26-year-old Irons. "But it was good to get some momentum going in the event. ... I've been surfing Pipe every day and just having fun being here."

Danny Wills of Australia posted the highest individual wave score of the day with a 9.87, but failed to secure another good score and amazingly placed last, behind two other surfers, in his heat.

Surfers who did not win their heats yesterday will be forced to surf in the second round -- where eliminations begin -- when the Pipeline Masters resumes. Two more days are needed for completion, and the waiting period ends Dec. 20.

An enormous swell is expected to hit today -- likely too big for the Pipeline Masters, but perhaps enough for the one-day Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational to run at nearby Waimea Bay (quality waves must be at least 40 feet in face value to run).

Hawaii's Sunny Garcia and Kalani Robb and former world champs C.J. Hobgood of Florida and Mark Occhilupo of Australia also advanced to the third round.

Garcia is the 2000 world champ and record five-time previous winner of the Triple Crown, and he has a chance to win yet again as the current series points leader this year. The Triple Crown title goes to the best overall three-event performer, and though Aussie Phillip MacDonald and Irons trail closely, a victory at the only Triple Crown event Garcia hasn't won yet in his career would extend his record to six.

"It's exciting for me to be part of the chase for this year's Triple Crown title," Garcia, 34, said. "I don't remember a time when it was this close at the last event. We'll see what happens, but I'll be trying my hardest. If I don't get it, I hope another (Hawaii surfer) does."