6- to 8-foot waves greet
Triple Crown surfers

Near-perfect conditions and 6- to 8-foot waves signaled the start of the 2001 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing at Alii Beach Park yesterday.

The first rounds of the G-Shock Hawaiian Pro men's event and the Roxy Pro women's event were run to completion.

Hawaii veterans Pancho Sullivan, Kaipo Jaquias and Conan Hayes and newcomers Jamie O'Brien and Wiki Villa were among the many who surfed spectacularly yesterday to advance past the first round of the Hawaiian Pro.

"It's great to be competing on home ground, especially when you're taking on some of these big names," said the 18-year-old Villa. "I'm a little nervous, but it's exciting to be in an event like this."

Hawaii's Isaac Kaneshiro, Roy Powers, John Gomes, Jonah Morgan, Derek Ho, Ross Williams, Love Hodel, Gavin Beschen, Joel Centeio and Michael Ho also got past the first round yesterday.

In the Roxy Pro women's event, Hawaii's Melanie Bartels and Sena Seramur moved on to round two.

Triple Crown of Surfing officials expect the swell to continue today and increase over the weekend.

Steve Van Doren, Vans president of promotion and events, said, "It's been a power-packed day right from the start for both the men and the women. ... They've been nailing it."

The conditions were best in the early and late heats with mildly wind-blown conditions at mid-day.

VANS TRIPLE CROWN Men's events >> G-Shock Hawaiian Pro, Alii Beach Park, Nov. 13-25 >> Rip Curl Cup, Sunset Beach, Nov. 26 to Dec. 7 >> XBox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters, Banzai Pipeline, Dec. 8-17 Women's events >> Roxy Pro, Alii Beach Park, Nov. 13-25 >> Billabong Girls, Honolua Bay, Maui, Nov. 26 to Dec. 7 Longboard event >> Bear Hawaiian Pro Longboard Invitational, Alii Beach Park, Nov. 13-25 Website >> triplecrownofsurfing.com Hotline >> 596-SURF

Hilo hosts sportsmanship soccer tournament

Boys teams from around the state will play in the Hilo High School Sportsmanship Soccer Tournament today through Sunday.

Aside from Hilo, Roosevelt, Honokaa, Kauai, Kaiser and Waiakea will participate.