Perfect 6ft (2m) barrels were on offer all day at the idyllic location of Honolua Bay. A strong crowd cheered on the world’s top rated women, and a whale even breached outside the lineup, adding to the scene.

Photo : P.Tostee / ASP / Tostee.com

Beachley led the ratings heading into today’s showdown despite the fact she was eliminated in round three a week ago. For her to be passed during the Billabong Pro Maui, ratings runner-up Melanie Redman-Carr (Aus) needed to reach the final, while #3 Lynette MacKenzie (Aus) or #4 Keala Kennelly (Haw) would have to win to claim the 2002 crown. None of these possibilities transpired.

Having declared her determination to break Lisa Andersen’s (USA) record Record #sailingrecord of four consecutive crowns, the 30-year-old chipped away at the mountain steadily, with each title posing its own challenges. Then, with a similar situation to last year unfolding at Honolua whereby Beachley was forced to watch from the lineup as her rivals competed, all were defeated short of the mark.

"Unbelievable," exclaimed Beachley, holding her hand up with all five fingers spread out to represent each world title. "I remember saying I was numb with shock last week when I lost, well now I’m numb with shock again (laughs). I still can’t believe it’s just fallen into place like it has. My destiny was in the hands of fate and I just had to resign myself to it. I was prepared to sit here all day and congratulate someone else. I’m just glad it’s come back to me.

"The other four (titles) were a result of today," she concluded, on her ultimate motivation. "I went for five from the moment I’d won one. Equally Lisa’s record Record #sailingrecord was a dream come true, but now bettering it is just beyond belief. I don’t know what I’m in for now, as there’s some incredible talent coming on tour and the standard of women’s surfing in general makes it much more difficult to win world titles, but I’ll enjoy the challenge. I’m really excited about next year and now I can give everyone ’High Fives’ and it’ll mean something (laughs)."

Following the world title climax, the Billabong Pro Maui reached its own conclusion with Silva dominating an unusual 40-minute final against recently crowned 2002 World Qualifying Series (WQS) winner Pauline Menczer (Aus).

Having posted the tournament’s only perfect 10-point ride during her earlier semifinal clash, Silva carried the momentum onwards to win her first WCT final in epic conditions. The Brazilian created an early and commanding lead with two impressive 8+ rides, but with 14-minutes remaining lost her surfboard when the legrope broke. Without her own replacement board in the lineup, a confused Silva eventually swam over and borrowed one from a previous competitor’s caddy, though against ASP ruling. Commentators explained the error, so she returned to the channel unable to compete any further. Nonetheless, Menczer was unable to bridge the combination of scores already required by this point.

After finishing second in the years opening WCT in Australia, today’s result pushed Silva all the way from equal sixth to runner-up position on the final 2002 ratings.

"After three years on the WCT this is my first win, so I’m really happy," said Silva afterward. "Plus that wave during the semifinals, it was my first perfect 10, so this contest is the best one for me ever (laughs).

"I didn’t know the rules," she continued, of the bizarre final. "I was very lucky I got some good waves at the beginning of the final since I lost my board, but Pauline didn’t catch up. I’m feeling good, and I’m going to make big preparations for next year to try and become world champion."

Menczer also posted her best result of the WCT season. Having scored a 9.5 in the quarterfinals and then an 8.75 in the semis before breaking her surfboard, she was unlucky not to find more waves of similar offering in the main decider. The 1993 world champion cited her shorter board as a distinct disadvantage when it counted most.

"I was just really bummed I broke my board in the semis, as this board felt way too small out there," said Menczer. "Jacqueline gave me a chance when she lost hers, but I didn’t feel like I had a hope on that board out there. I was just stoked to be in the final with her, as it was a perfect way to end a bad year on the WCT. It’s the only result I’ve had, so it’s nice to know I can still do it."

Equal third in the Billabong Pro Maui were Rochelle Ballard (Haw) and Heather Clark (SAfr). Ballard, always on the lookout for barrels, ultimately didn’t find what she needed against an in-form Silva.

"That heat was really inconsistent," explained Ballard. "I got one big bomb, but my board was under-gunned and I watched this freight-train wave barrel in front of me. As I was paddling back out I saw Jacqueline pull into this nugget and get shacked. It blew my mind, as I was thinking, ’hey, that should be me in that barrel (laughs)’. I’m disappointed, as I really wanted to win this contest, but it’s been a good event."

Clark, who eliminated Maria ’Tita’ Tavares (Brz) in a do-or-die re-qualification heat this morning, really let loose against title contender MacKenzie in the last quarterfinal. The South African completely controlled the match, earning a 9.35 and another 8.5 for the highest combined total of the tournament for 17.85 points. Menczer stopped her in the semifinals, however, with a superb 9.5-barrel ride.

"I was really happy just to get through my first heat with ’Tita’, as we were both on the borderline of re-qualifying," explained Clark. "Whoever got through made the cut, while the loser was out. Once I made it through, I was more relaxed up against Lynette and got some insane waves. Then in the last heat I just ended up falling off. I’m still happy though, as this is my third semifinal finish three years in a row here."

Finishing equal fifth in the Billabong Pro Maui were Kennelly, wildcard Julia Christian (USA), Chelsea Georgeson (Aus) and MacKenzie.

Kennelly faced fellow Hawaiian Ballard in the first quarterfinal and while she held the lead for most the match, lost in the dying minutes. One barrel she pulled into appeared to be offering an exit, but at the last moment she was clipped. Then despite catching a final ride, she only managed a 4.25 when needing a 4.51 score to advance and keep her title hopes alive.

"I think being against Rochelle, we were both hoping to have a barrel contest," explained Kennelly. "I would have liked to have been more of a (world title) threat, but it wasn’t meant to be."

Redman-Carr (Aus), who held the best chance of passing Beachley leading into the final day, was eliminated first heat this morning in round three. Against Menczer, the West Australian fell on her first wave and let a few good ones pass her by, needing a near-perfect 9.9 to advance.

"I didn’t really feel the pressure in my heat," reasoned Redman-Carr afterward. "The waves were quite hard to surf Surf #Surf and I think the smaller waves were better.

"The year didn’t start off too well for me," she continued. "Then it went up and up, but started going back down, and finished then. I just didn’t maintain."

Falconer, who amassed enough points to win the Vans Triple Crown, was in Australia today suffering from a slipped disc in her back. Still, news of the bonus lifted her spirits tremendously.

"I’m stoked," she began. "I’ve finished the Triple Crown runner-up twice before, so I know how that feels. I guess it pays off to be consistent in Hawaii. This is a nice way to finish the year."