2003 Boost Mobile Pro at Lowers

Curran won the $20k Snapple Best Damn Airshow

September 6, 2003 (Lower Trestles, CA, USA) Californian Tim Curran today won 'The Snapple Best Damn Airshow', while world champ Andy Irons (Kauai, Haw) was eliminated from the Boost Mobile Pro of Surf presented by Quiksilver. Round three of the US$250,000 World Championship Tournament (WCT) was completed, as well as four heats from the fourth this afternoon.

Great 4-5 ft (1.5m) conditions were again on offer at the famed Californian break, as a huge beach crowd gathered for mainland America's most important surfing event.

'The Snapple Best Damn Airshow' was an hour-long spectacle, showcasing 10 of the world's best aerial surfers going absolutely mental. Curran, who landed a 5ft high frontside double-grab air-to-fakie maneuver, was presented the US$20,000 prizemoney - the most ever awarded in an Airshow. A good friend of young Hawaiian surfer Jason Bogle, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, Curran later announced his intention to split the money and donate half to the 'Jason Bogle Cancer Fund'.

"I'd like to thank Snapple for putting on this Airshow," said Curran on stage. "And all the guys out there for doing huge airs. The waves were going off, and the fact Snapple are donating money to Jason Bogle is huge, as he's one of all of our friends. We all agreed and I'm going to split this and give another 10 grand to Jason's Fund."

Bruce Irons en route to victory.

Snapple also donated US$10,000 in second place-getter Kelly Slater's and 'The Snapple Best Damn Airshow' name, together with all proceeds from Snapple beverages sold on the beach during the entire tournament.

Meanwhile, in the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver, wildcard Bruce Irons (Kauai, Haw) caused the biggest upset by eliminating older brother Andy - the reigning world champ and current ratings leader. In round three's most anticipated clash, Andy began with an inspired ride of forehand carves for a daunting 9.17. Phased, but not beaten, the younger Irons collected two seven plus scores and the lead. Andy then caught three quick rides and fell, before the ocean went flat for an agonizing 15-minutes. Then with a couple of minutes to go he grabbed a final wave requiring a 6.33, but could only post an even six and was forced to accept defeat.

"It happened in my last contest (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa) too," said a disappointed Andy, referring to his second consecutive 17th place finish. "I started with a good wave and couldn't get another one. It goes flat, or I catch the wrong waves, or something goes wrong... I don't know what it is, but hopefully I don't drag it into the next event. I'm glad my brother is doing well. It's a bummer he had to beat me, but I hope he goes on and wins it, and Kelly loses soon."

Bruce then continued his fantastic campaign with some incredible aerials during 'The Snapple Best Damn Airshow', and then eliminated Paulo Moura (Brz) in the day's final fourth round heat. He'll next face another Brazilian in the quarterfinals, after Victor Ribas accounted for 1999 world champ Mark Occhilupo (Gold Coast, Aus) this morning, and Mick Lowe (Windang, Aus) - who incurred an interference - the following round.

"I'm really tired," offered Bruce, once it'd all unfolded. "I got up early and the heat with my brother, and then the Airshow, took a lot of energy from me. It's a good thing there wasn't a lot of waves out there (against Moura), but I'm glad I caught the two good ones. I'm stoked, and just taking it heat by heat. Trying not to put pressure on myself, as this is fun. That's what I'm focusing on."

Also into the quarterfinals is world #4 Taj Burrow (West Australia), who pulled a near-perfect 9.8 out of his bag of tricks to eliminate fellow countryman Nathan Hedge (Narrabeen). Securing the best single score of the event so far, Burrow's forehand gouge left the beach crowd shaking their heads in disbelief. He'll next face world #5 Mick Fanning (Gold Coast, Aus) in another epic match-up, after Fanning stopped the run of West Australian Jake Paterson.