Report From Triple Crown
One More Day, One More Competitor
November 12-23, 2008
Haleiwa Alii Beach Park, Oahu
Story/Photos By TOB
Haleiwa is a difficult and fickle break. Our East Coast surfers are experiencing this in a bad way. They have come up and been slammed down.
Wesley de Souza didn't even show up, opting to stay in FL for the King of the Peak after a year of grueling travel chasing WQS Points. Sterling Spencer, Ben Bourgeois, Brian Toth, Karina Patroni and CJ Hobgood all fell in their first rounds.
Gabe Kling is the only advancer, getting into the round of 32. Gabe has requalified for the Dream Tour in 2009, so the pressure is off. He started his round of 64 heat with a 9.something in very tricky conditions and never looked back. He will surf on Saturday, the final day and hopefully keep advancing.
The contest started in good, large swells, then the surf and weather took a break for four days. Thursday was run in smaller but beautiful conditions until the wind switched and the rain came for the final two heats of the day.
The contest is not without controversy. In the Women's Final, Carissa Moore was leading going into the final few minutes. Seven time Women's World Champion Layne Beachley only needed a 6.something to win. A beautiful wave came to her in the waning minutes and fellow Hawaiian surfer Coco Ho, who was in 4th place, dropped in on Layne. Coco got an interference, Layne didn't get what she needed, Carissa won. Carissa and Coco were high fiving on the way in. The WQS is investigating whether it was a chance interference or collusion and poor sportsmanship. If it is decided that it was collusion, Coco and Carissa could forfeit their prize money and points. Any way you look at it, it was poor sportsmanship on Coco Ho's part. Their should be respect given to the seven times Women's World Champion in one of her final contests. Layne is retiring at the end of this season.
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