Irons Wins Billabong Pro Tahiti
Victory Is Surfer's First In 3 Years
POSTED: 3:59 pm HST September 3, 2010
UPDATED: 4:43 pm HST September 3, 2010
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HONOLULU -- Hawaii surfer Andy Irons, 32, has won the Billabong Pro Tahiti.He bested fellow American C.J. Hobgood, 31, on Friday in 3- to 4-foot waves at Teahupoo.Irons beat reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning, 29, rookie Patrick Gudauskas, 24, and nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater, 38, en route to the final.Irons is a three-time ASP world champion.The victory is his first win in three years."I feel like I'm back," Irons said, according to ASP International. "I have to thank ASP for giving me the wild card back here. My whole dream was to come back and just win one contest, and I've done that now. I want more. And to win at Teahupoo, it's my favorite wave in the world. It’s a very special win."The win moves Irons from No. 18 to No. 7 in the world rankings. The victory is his 20th.
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