Kaua‘i’s Keala Kennelly has accepted a wildcard bid into the Billabong Pro Maui, which will start its waiting period tomorrow. The final stop of the Vans Triple Crown kicks off the celebration is today with Kennelly serving as the party’s
Kaua‘i’s Keala Kennelly has accepted a wildcard bid into the Billabong Pro Maui, which will start its waiting period tomorrow. The final stop of the Vans Triple Crown kicks off the celebration is today with Kennelly serving as the party’s DJ.
Kennelly retired from professional surfing for a while to pursue a career in acting, but the X Games gold medalist and 2007 Freesurf Magazine Female Surfer of the Year told the media she was excited to take the waters of Honolua Bay. She was offered the spot due to the fact that Paige Hareb, the new star out of New Zealand, moved up in status.
Hareb was originally given the wildcard spot but a successful run moved her straight into the main competition leaving her spot empty.
Kennelly’s highest finish at the Billabong Pro was second place in 2006. O‘ahu’s Melanie Bartels and Megan Abubo will also compete in the Billabong Pro.
Tomorrow also begins the waiting period for the Billabong Pipeline Masters on O‘ahu.
This competition will determine the winner of the Vans Triple Crown. Florida’s Kelly Slater has already secured the Association of Surfing Professionals world title — his ninth career title.
Among those surfing in the Pipeline Masters is Maui’s Dusty Payne, who is currently in the top spot for the Triple Crown.
