O'Neill teamrider John John Florence has won the World Cup at Sunsetbeach and taken the lead on the coveted Vans Triple Crown ratings.
It was an overwhelming victory for the 19 year old Hawaiian who surfedhis first Triple Crown event at the age of 12.
Inthe final, Florence led a spectacular tube-riding battle in perfect 10-footsurf against Michel Bourez (Tahiti, 2nd), Adam Melling (Australia, 3rd), andHank Gaskell (Maui, 4th) to win $40,000.
Histwo-wave heat total of 17 points (9.5, 7.5) eclipsed the field, leaving theother three in need of a two-wave combination of scores to overtake the lead.
"I'mhaving fun, I surf for a living and that's a dream in itself," saidFlorence.
"Thisis my first 6 star Prime win, it's at home, it's one of my home breaks and allmy family and friends are here, so it's one of the best moments of my life, forsure. It means everything. I've watched these guys since I was so littlegrowing up here and coming to events when I was six years old, getting theirautographs."
Florencebegan his Triple Crown campaign two weeks ago at Haleiwa, where he placedfifth. The third and final leg of the Triple Crown now awaits him on his homedoorstep at Pipeline.
The Pipe Masters will get underway on December 8. Florence began his 2011 campaignat the Banzai Pipeline in February, winning the 5-star Pipeline Pro. Fromthere, he leapt off onto the global ASP tour with hopes of securing a berthamong the elite Top 32. He has achieved that, now ranked 19th in the world.
Onthe upcoming Pipe Masters: "I live right there at Pipe and I surf therealmost every day in all conditions. Its going to be fun, for sure."