Andy Irons has become the winner of the Billabong Pro Tahiti, a surf championship that has been taking place throughout the summer in French Polynesia. The final of the WCT circuit by the Association of Professional Surfers was held on Teahupoo island where surfers rode two-metre-high waves.
Hawaiian Irons, a three-time world champion, contested the title in the semi-finals against fellow world champion CJ Hobgood. He hadn't won a WCT since 2007, but has now secured the 20th victory of his career, moving up to 7th position in the world rankings.
One of the most exciting heats was between Andy Irons and his eternal rival, nine-time world champion Kelly Slater. Irons won with Slater finishing less than 4 points behind, making this water sport heat even more fiercely contested.
Meanwhile, CJ Hobgood managed to defeat Jeremy Flores, who at just 22 years old reached the semi-finals. Despite this, Flores finished third in the championship, which will serve him well to gain points and climb to 19th in the world rankings.
Hobgood thus demonstrated the strength with which he arrived at the Billabong Pro Tahiti, coming close to taking the top spot but delivering a formidable performance. Born in the United States, he's deeply connected to surfing, having surfed since age 6, while his brother Damien Hobgood also pursues this sport professionally.
Other athletes who achieved strong positions include Australian Adrian Buchan, who finished fifth after losing to American Kelly Slater in the quarter-finals, and Tiago Pires, who achieved his best result so far this year by reaching the quarter-finals.
Billabong Pro Tahiti final standings:
Final result:
1 – Andy Irons (HAW) 14.67
2 – C.J. Hobgood (USA) 8.33
Semi-final results:
SF 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 15.00 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 12.93
SF 2: Andy Irons (HAW) 13.57 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 10.26
Quarter-final results:
QF 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 14.53 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 6.23
QF 2: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.80 def. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 11.33
QF 3: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.67 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.77
QF 4: Andy Irons (HAW) 16.44 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 11.00
Andy Irons, now established as one of the most influential surfers of recent years, has a very promising future. Many years of practising surfing and sponsorship by Billabong validate his career, which we're certain will continue to make headlines.
Photos: Billabong Spain
