Perfect 6-8 ft (2-2.6m) waves were on offer at Sunset beach with many barrel rides captivating the strong beach crowd. The penultimate WCT was completed as the sun shined and wind held off for an epic showdown.

Andy Irons new 2002 world champion

Photo : G.Ellis / ASP / Tostee.com

Parkinson, who won the season opening WCT at home on Australia’s Gold Coast, was in world title contention for most the year. Coming into Hawaii he had slipped just outside the realm into fifth position, but was eager for a strong finish to compliment his brilliant start. He reached the semifinals at the final World Qualifying Series (WQS) event two weeks ago at nearby Haleiwa, and with today’s victory took control of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing ratings, as well as collected US$30,000 prizemoney.

Having posted the best single score today for 9.5, as well as combined total of 18.5 during the first quarterfinal this morning, the 21 year old continued his stunning form through the 35-minute decider this afternoon with Lee Winkler (Aus), Nathan Webster (Aus) and Shane Dorian (Haw). The natural footer executed a serious foam climb on a large set wave, maneuvered his way through a great tube ride and finished with a cutback to earn his second 9.5 score of the day. He backed this up with another 7.5 barrel to seal victory and move into third position on the ratings.

"I’m that stoked," said a disbelieving Parkinson, surrounded by media after being carried up the beach by Aussie mates and showered with beer by current #6 Mick Fanning. "I thought I was lucky the first heat today getting a couple of nines, so I figured I’d probably lose the next one. Then the same thing happened again and I was in the final. I had a bad start, but then it all came together (laughs).

"I never dreamed I’d win in Hawaii, so my goal today was to stand up on the podium," he continued. "I didn’t care what I got in the final, but to come away with it is a dream. I thought it was the biggest dream to win at home, but to win in Hawaii… it’s the epicenter of surfing. To be able to prove yourself in Hawaii is everything. I’m feeling confident this year and hopefully I can have a good placing at Pipeline and win the Triple Crown.

"I think Andy deserved to win the world title," he added, of the new champ. "He’s definitely been one of the best surfers and I can’t wait to party with him tonight now that I’ve got a good reason too (laughs)."

Winkler, who sat in 29th position leading into the Rip Curl Cup and was fearful of losing his position within the elite ranks, also enjoyed a magic day. Having eliminated Irons in their quarterfinal following a paddling interference against the Hawaiian, the Australian remained focused and ultimately secured his best result to date, moving into 21st position on the ratings.

"It was a big day, full of mixed emotions," said Winkler. "I was kind of numb to the fact of getting through heats, I just thought I had to go out there and catch waves. That’s all I really thought about, so it was good the focus was on Andy all day and it was exciting just to watch what he did. I wasn’t too worried about myself, so I stayed relaxed.

"That’s exactly what I needed," he added, of jumping up the ratings. "I was freaking before this event as I knew I needed to pull a good one out. I didn’t think it was going to be this good, but it’s a cherry on top."

Webster, who surfed confidently throughout the entire tournament, also collected his best result of the season. Having taken an early lead in the final following a barrel ride near the start, he appeared the dark horse as he pulled into another perfect tube. Unfortunately, it clipped him at the closing stages and he was pushed into third.

"I’m so stoked," said Webster. "Every heat I had no expectations. A few waves came to me, but it was a bummer I didn’t make it out of that one barrel, as it would have been a good score. To make a final here in great waves is just a dream. After my crappy year it’s given me some confidence to go into next year, so I’m very happy."

Dorian, the sole Hawaiian in the four-man final, was an obvious favorite prior to paddling out, but was unlucky not to find many waves during the time frame. The 30 year old needed his result however, as it pushed him from #36 into 27th position, heading into the final Xbox Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters WCT next week.

"I felt fine," said Dorian afterward. "They’re all great guys and great competitors. I was just stoked to be out there in the final. I was really bummed the way it went, as I had a hard time catching waves.

"It just feels good to do well in Hawaii," he added. "I haven’t done well at all this year, so it’s good to make a final and be in Hawaii surfing. I’m looking forward to Pipe, as I’ve been surfing out there a tone and getting lots of practice."

The two Brazilians left in contention when the day began, Peterson Rosa and Neco Padaratz, were both defeated in the first semifinal this morning by Parkinson and Winkler. Rosa finished equal 5th overall, together with 2002 World Qualifying Series (WQS) champion Jake Paterson (Aus) in the other semi, while Padaratz and Luke Hitchings (Aus) placed equal 7th in the Rip Curl Cup.

The earlier focus during the quarterfinals today was the real drama, however, as the 2002 ASP world title race reached its climax. Leader Andy Irons (Haw) and runner-up Luke Egan (Aus) remained, and all eyes were glued to their every move, both in and out of the surf Surf #Surf .

Despite losing his quarterfinal match due to a paddling interference on Winkler, Irons anxiously watched the following 35-minute decider. Egan needed a 7.7 score toward the end to keep the race alive. Within the final 10-seconds he caught a good wave and surfed it great, but it didn’t offer enough and the announcers called out a 6.3.

"I had a bad start to the heat," said Egan afterward. "I paddled for my first wave and it looked really wally, but it closed out. Then I was caught by a set and everyone else had a good wave under their belt, so I was a little behind. I sat out there by myself with about 10-minutes and nothing came. I was stoked that last wave kind of gave me a shot. I think I surfed the wave as well as it could be surfed and got a 6.3, but that was it. Andy’s had a great year."

Irons, who was mobbed for hours following his achievement, reflected on the heat he lost and then offered praise to his main rival throughout 2002.

"It was definitely a roller coaster of peaks and valleys," explained Irons, of the 35-minutes from when he lost the heat to when the world title became his. "I was just really nervous in that heat. I got one little barrel, but fell off on the cutback. The whole heat I was just a ball of nerves. Just all the anticipation, and knowing Luke was in the next heat. Winkler only needed a little score and I knew he could have gotten it on that wave, so I kind of had to go paddle Paddle #standuppaddle #paddleboard him up the point. It was a bad move on my part and it was a good call (by the judges). I was just going for it though, as I didn’t want him to catch the wave. It ended up working out all right, but watching that last heat was like eternity.

"I take my hat off to him," he added, of Egan. "He’s an incredible competitor and one of my heroes. I wanted the guy to win almost, just cause he’s such a nice guy and one of my favorite surfers. I’m sure if he’s back next year he’ll guaranteed be in the title chase again."