C.J. Hobgood won the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing yesterday at Sunset Beach, putting the native Floridian in contention for the overall Vans Triple Crown of Surfing title.

Hobgood, 29, is now sitting in second for the Triple Crown championship behind Maui's Dusty Payne. Hobgood defeated the 19-year-old Payne in the semifinals yesterday in sunny, offshore conditions and 20- to 30-foot wave-face heights at Sunset.

“;Sunny, offshore winds, perfect size and really clean. There was probably one or two sets a heat that were too big,”; said Hobgood, who won the World Championship in 2001. “;Just some macking nuts waves out there.”;

The 6-Star prime qualifying series event was blessed with big surf for the entire contest, making Hobgood's victory even sweeter because of his stance.

Hobgood became the first goofy-foot (right foot forward while riding) in 11 years to win the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing. Goofy-footed surfers have a disadvantage at Sunset Beach because their backs are facing the wave while surfing. Hobgood was quick to point out that when the waves are this big it's a challenge for anyone, no matter the stance.

“;Regular foot or goofy-foot, (Sunset) is definitely the wave on tour where it's you against the ocean,”; Hobgood said. “;There's four guys out there, but you never really see your competitors the whole time. It's man vs. nature out there and that's what makes Sunset so challenging and appealing.”;

Mother Nature produced gorgeous, massive waves for the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing and it was a different kind of experience for Hobgood at Sunset.

“;My usual experience out at Sunset is just getting worked pretty much,”; Hobgood said. “;That just shows you what Sunset can do. You just roll the dice, go out and sometimes Mother Nature is good to you and other times it just beats you down.”;

Hobgood and O'Neill World Cup Runner-up Tom Whitaker, 29, managed to dodge the wrath of Sunset.

“;It was just beautiful all day and I think I saw some of the best waves I've ever seen at Sunset,”; Whitaker said. “;And, for the final day of the tournament to run in such good conditions it was really cool.”;

The O'Neill World Cup of Surfing was real cool for Whitaker, who surfed brilliantly in the final. But 29-year-old Sunset local Marcus Hickman, who finished in third place, and 20-year-old South African Jordy Smith weren't so fortunate.

Hickman fell victim to poor wave selection and was caught by a couple of clean-up sets in the final.

Smith was also smashed by the big sets during the heat. He also broke a board in the process and injured his right ankle. This injury is detrimental to the rest of Smith's World Tour season because he needs an excellent result at the Billabong Pipeline Masters to re-qualify for the 2009 WT.

Going into the Pipe Masters, which starts its holding period on Monday, Hobgood is a prime spot to capture his first Vans Triple Crown of Surfing title.