ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ross Williams of Hawaii wiped out in this wave yesterday but eventually advanced to the next round of the Vans Hawaiian Pro Surfing Competition at Alii Beach at Haleiwa.
The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing waiting game paid off big today when competitors and officials awoke to a rising 10-foot swell at Haleiwa for rounds three and four of the Vans Hawaiian Pro. Andy beats
brother BruceStar-Bulletin staff
Current world No. 1 Andy Irons of Kauai and six-time world champion Kelly Slater lived up to expectations at the Triple Crown yesterday, posting high heat scores at Haleiwa.
In one of the most highly anticipated heats, Irons beat younger brother Bruce Irons, Darren O'Rafferty of Australia and Jamie O'Brien of Oahu.
The heat produced the highest total score of the day for Andy Irons -- 19 points out of a possible 20 -- and saw the elimination of Bruce Irons, who finished in fourth place with just 3.83 points.
Kelly Slater eliminated Kalani Robb while perfectly performing a carving 360 degree turn that finished with a whitewater free-fall on a 12-foot wave.
"I've been coming to Hawaii for the last 10 or 12 years now," Slater said. "I first came when I was 12 and I fell in love with it. I feel totally comfortable out here."
Fred Patacchia, Conan Hayes, Pancho Sullivan, Roy Powers, Shane Dorian, Sean Yano, Kekoa Bacalso and Shawn Sutton were also ousted.
Organizers expect to resume with round four today and run all the way through to complete the final in the early afternoon.
Vans Triple Crown of Surfing
