BRAZIL – Hanalei’s Andy Irons, who won the last WCT in Spain a week ago, further solidified his outstanding year and ratings dominance, and may be enroute to clinching the world title sooner than most would have expected. The 24-year-old
BRAZIL – Hanalei’s Andy Irons, who won the last WCT in Spain a week ago, further solidified his outstanding year and ratings dominance, and may be enroute to clinching the world title sooner than most would have expected.
The 24-year-old is virtually a thousand points ahead of his nearest rival, and if he was to win the Mundial Coca-Cola de Surf 2002 in Brazil, which will commence today pending wave conditions, he could claim the ASP world title as early as this tournament.
With three events remaining the variables are still many, but as his counterparts are eliminated, so too are their chances of catching the Kauaian.
“Possibly there’s a mathematical chance,” said Irons, of the ratings situation. “I think I’d have to win this event and Luke would have to lose early. After flying around the world I’m feeling a little groggy right now, so we’ll see how things unfold. Everyone is surfing so good this year that anyone on their given day could win the contest. It’s just a matter of a lot of luck and just being ‘on’ that particular day. It should be a good event though.
“When we’re in a heat it’s all competition, as I know I have to surf my best to beat him,” he commented on Neco Padaratz, who contested the past two event finals with him in Europe. “It was cool in Europe with him getting one title and me the other, so we’re tied up right now. The next one should be a good showdown.”
