Irons moves on to Tahiti for pro surfing contest The $260,000 Billabong Pro Teahupoo in Tahiti is scheduled to start its waiting period with both men and women’s divisions on standby for a possible start today, according to the Association
Irons moves on to Tahiti for pro surfing contest
The $260,000 Billabong Pro Teahupoo in Tahiti is scheduled to start its waiting period with both men and women’s divisions on standby for a possible start today, according to the Association of Surfing Professionals.
Hanalei surfer and world pro surfing champion Andy Irons in the spotlight at the event.
On the women’s side, three-time Teahupoo champion Keala Kennelly, who has become known as the “Queen of Teachupoo” for her wins and aggressive surfing, is ready to defend her title in the $62,500 women’s event.
“This is the contest I want to win the most all year,” Kennelly said.
Waves for the Association of Surfing Professionals contest are expected to be in the 6-7 foot range with good wind conditions. The offshore surfbreak is noted as arguably the most dangerous on the global world professional surfing tour, and is a left-breaking perfect barrel that peels off atop a shallow reef into a channel filled with spectators and journalists in small boats.
Irons is the reigning ASP world champion for the 2002-2003 tours, and is leading the 2004 tour so far following top-three finishes at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, and the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach in Victoria, Australia. Australian Joel Parkinson is in second place in the ASP standings, and Irons’ main opponent of 2003, six-time world champion Kelly Slater of Cocoa Beach, Fla., is in sixth place.
