XBOX GERRY LOPEZ PIPELINE MASTERS

Superb Waves Offer Brilliant Barrel-Riding Display

Excellent six-to-10 foot waves barreled through Banzai Pipeline today offering competitors in the 32nd annual Xbox Pipeline Masters their best conditions of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing so far this year. While the danger element still held strong, the quality, size and duration of tube-rides on offer for rounds two and three made for unbelievable surfing. Despite being a Monday, crowds filled the beach to capacity and the action on offer made the trip to Oahu's North Shore well worthwhile.

Australians set the pace of the day, living up to their reputation of being "chargers" no matter what the conditions. Heat two of round two was sensational with current Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series ratings leader Joel Parkinson delivering the top scoring ride of the day - a perfect 10 for a long winding tube ride that defied the odds. But it was still only enough to see him advance in second place behind Luke Hitchings (Aus), who topped the days heat scores with a total of 19.75 out of 20. Hitchings top two scoring rides came in at 9.95 and 9.8 points. Third and fourth in the heat, eliminated from the competition were wildcard entrant Rob Machado (USA) and Shane Powell (Aus). While Hitchings and Parkinson enjoyed a dream heat, Powell experienced a competitor's nightmare, sustaining some horrible wipeouts and breaking all three fins from his board on a particularly bad one.

"By a million miles," responded Hitchings, when asked if that was the best heat of his career. "I was so nervous. If I didn't make that heat I was going to be knocked off the tour, so I pretty much had to have a dream heat, especially with the guys I had out there. I just can't believe I've come through. I'm the happiest man ever."

If Parkinson and Hitchings got the crowd going, world champion elect Andy Irons (Haw) pushed them to the edge of their sand mats. Childhood friend and wildcard entrant Brian Pacheco has pushed Irons hard through every round and today was no different. In the morning's second round heat, Irons required a 7.35 to move out of third position with three minutes remaining. He dropped into a Pipeline pit, positioned himself perfectly to stay inside the tube as long as possible, and then emerged to the sound of applause. The judges responded with a 9.6 and he ended up taking first in the heat ahead of Pacheco.