Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Monday, August 30, 1999

By Pierre Tostee, ASP
Rochelle Ballard, winning the Rip Curl Pro yesterday.

Ballard wins another title
at Rip Curl Pro in France

Hawaii's Rochelle Ballard won the French Hossegor Rip Curl Pro surf title yesterday at Hossegor, France, after a tough duel with Australian Trudy Todd.

Ballard returned to the G-SHOCK Association of Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour winner's stand just one month after tasting victory in California.

Hawaii's Megan Abubo lost to Todd in the quarterfinals but climbed to equal fourth in the world rankings alongside Australia's Melanie Redman. Abubo but is a mere 220 points off second ranked Serena Brooke (Australia). World champion Layne Beachley is still well ahead at first in the rankings.

Big-wave specialist Ballard topped Todd, 20.55-19.5, in small surf.

"There wasn't much power out there and you really had to make the most of every wave and create your own power and speed," Ballard said.

In the men's competition, world No.5 Shane Dorian and No.7 ranked Sunny Garcia, both of Hawaii, advanced to round four.

Colin's second place qualifies for Olympics

Kailua's Kathy Colin finished second in her K-1 500-meter final at the Canoe/Kayak Sprint World Championships yesterday in Milan, Italy, to qualify for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

Shelley and Wokasch win Malie '99 race

Clint Shelley and Jeannie Wokasch were the men's and women's winner at the Holo Malie '99 5.-2 mile run yesterday at Aloha Marketplace.

Shelley finished in a time of 29 minutes, 46.0 seconds to beat Raul Portillo (31:12.0) in the men's division.

Wokasch's time of 33:22.0 topped Chris Patrick (34:16.0).

McLachlin takes Barbers Point title

Parker McLachlin fired a 1-under-par 71 for a three-round total of 7-under 209 to win the Barbers Point Invitational golf tournament by six strokes yesterday.

Regan Lee and Tony Okano tied for second at 215.