honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, September 16, 2007

Florence wins Billabong Junior Pro

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

John John Florence received $2,000 for winning the boys division of the Billabong Junior Pro In Memory of Ronnie Burns.

BERNIE BAKER | Special to The Advertiser

spacer spacer
Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

John John Florence

spacer spacer

John John Florence of O'ahu's North Shore won the boys division of the Billabong Junior Pro In Memory of Ronnie Burns yesterday.

The final day of the two-day competition was completed in 2- to 4-foot waves at Sunset Beach.

Florence topped a field that included most of Hawai'i's top surfers under the age of 21, professional and amateur.

At 14, Florence was one of the youngest competitors in the boys division. He received $2,000 for the victory.

Florence is still considered an amateur surfer, although he has competed in several professional events on the North Shore in recent years.

Mason Ho of O'ahu's North Shore placed second, followed by Dusty Payne of Maui, and Casey Brown of the Big Island.

The contest moved to Sunset Beach this year after being held at Kewalo Basin in previous years.

All four finalists will represent Hawai'i at the Billabong Junior Pro World Championship at North Narrabeen, Australia, in January 2008.

Alessa Quizon of Wai'anae won the girls division earlier this week.

SLATER SETS RECORD; SULLIVAN PLACES SECOND

Florida's Kelly Slater won the Boost Mobile Pro men's contest yesterday at Lower Trestles, Calif., establishing a record for career victories.

The victory was the 34th of Slater's illustrious career. California's Tom Curren won 33 in the 1980s and '90s.

Slater, who also holds a record eight world championships, defeated Sunset Beach's Pancho Sullivan in yesterday's final, which was run in 3- to 5-foot waves.

Sullivan won his fourth round, quarterfinal and semifinal heats yesterday before falling short in the final. Slater's two best waves received a total score of 13.4, while Sullivan received 10.6.

Sullivan needed a score of 6.98 in the closing minutes to take the lead, but received a 6.43 on his final wave.

"It was a little frustrating, especially needing such a small score at the end and having priority and not being able to do anything, but that's the surfing competition," Sullivan said. "I still made it to the final and hopefully I can carry some momentum into Europe and keep improving."

It was the best result for Sullivan in his two years on the World Championship Tour, and he moved up from No. 16 to No. 8 in the overall ratings.

The contest was the sixth of 10 on the 2007 WCT.

Australia's Mick Fanning is currently ranked No. 1, and Slater is No 2. Kaua'i's Andy Irons is No. 4.

Earlier yesterday, Slater eliminated Hale'iwa's Fred Patacchia Jr. in the fourth round.