ISLE FILE
Kaua'i's Blanchard, Smith win surf crowns
Advertiser Staff
Kaua'i surfers Alana Blanchard and Alex Smith won their respective divisions at the Rip Curl GromSearch National Final on Saturday at Salt Creek, Calif.
Smith won the Boys 14 division; Blanchard won the Girls 16 division.
Blanchard earned a trip to Australia to compete in the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final next April. Only the Boys 16 and Girls 16 divisions will compete in Australia.
Torrey Meister of the Big Island placed second in the Boys 16 division. Three other Hawai'i surfers made the final in that division: Kyle Ramey placed third, Granger Larsen was fourth and Geoff Wong was fifth.
Also, Derek Wong placed fifth in the Boys 14 division, and Koa Smith placed fifth in the Boys 12 division.
PATACCHIA ADVANCES TO THIRD ROUND IN BRAZIL
Fred Patacchia Jr. of O'ahu's North Shore won his first-round heat in the Nova Schin Festival yesterday at Imbituba, Florianopolis, Brazil.
Patacchia scored an 8.5 late in the heat to clinch the victory. As a first-round winner, he advanced directly to the third round. Kaua'i's Bruce Irons was eliminated in the second round by Brazil's Heitor Alves.
World championship contenders Andy Irons of Kaua'i and Kelly Slater of Florida did not surf yesterday. Irons needs to finish ahead of Slater in this contest to remain in contention for the world title.
TENNIS
WAIALAE IKI TEAM SECOND IN REGIONALS
Waialae Iki 5 White Stars placed second in the 3.0, 14-under division at the USTA Team Tennis Regional Championships last month at the El Paso (Texas) Youth Tennis Center.
Ahwatukee Heat Strokes won the division, followed by Waialae Iki with 197. Another Hawai'i team, Kilauea Force, finished fifth.
In the 3.0, 18-under division, Hawai'i's Bob's Mob A finished third and Barbers Point Slamming Acers fourth. Barnecles won.
Hawai'i's Paul Chinen (Kilauea Force) and Stephen Royalty (Bob's Mob A) were given sportsmanship awards voted by opposing players and coaches.
The regional featured teams from the Hawai'i Pacific, Pacific Northwest and Southwest sections.
