Andy Irons today let-loose with some amazing surfing to advance all the way through from the quarterfinals and ultimately defeat Jake Paterson (Aus) in the final of the Billabong Pro. In classic 3-4 foot conditions at lower Trestles, spectators were
Andy Irons today let-loose with some amazing surfing to advance all the way
through from the quarterfinals and ultimately defeat Jake Paterson (Aus) in the
final of the Billabong Pro. In classic 3-4 foot conditions at lower Trestles,
spectators were treated the full array of critical maneuvers by all
competitors, but none turned it on any brighter than the young
Hawaiian.
Irons, 22, found his way onto the World Championship Tour (WCT)
this season thanks to two-time world champion Damien Hardman (Aus) deciding not
to compete after surfing four events at the start of the year. Though he was a
member of the top-44 in 1998 and even went on to win the prestigious WCT at
Huntington Beach, CA, that same year, the Hawaiian’s inconsistency cost him his
spot among the elite and he was forced to try and re-qualify though the World
Qualifying Series (WQS) in 1999. Although unsuccessful by the slightest margin,
he returned this year at event number-five and now shows no indication of
disappearing again anytime soon, having jumped from 43rd on the ratings into
29th with today’s result.
The Hawaiian actually had to play catch-up during
the 40-minute final with Paterson, as the Australian had secured a strong early
lead while Irons struggled to find his form. Toward the end, however, he’d
shaken off any nerves he may have been experiencing and gave the American crowd
the kind of surfing they loudly appreciated. One wave, in particular, he
executed a carving reverse 360 off the lip of a good right-hander, posting 8.75
out-of-a possible 10-points, and clearly announced the event was his.
