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The Surf News InsiderThe latest surf-related news from the coconut wireless. Edited by Chris Mauro. Recent Comments backsidefive says: "This is what I love about Kelly Slater...He's made a career out of doing what he loves but he doesn't put himself on top of the world just because he's the best there is and possibly one of the best overall athletes around. He has fun and just does his best, and even though he is the best, he's not arrogant about it. He has a great attitude and everyone should learn from him! Keep grinding hard Slater!" backsidefive says: "I think everyone likes winning more than losing. The important thing is to enjoy what you're doing....take it seriously but not so serious that you're walking around with a stick up your a$$." backsidefive says: "I agree. Surfing is way underrated in the US and Slater deserves more credit than the press gives him. He always has been and always will be a beast! Keep grinding hard Slater!" catherine gwen says: "This American can appreciate the talents of Slater... in fact I know quite a few Americans and one Canadian @ www.backsidefive.com that feel the same way. Grinding harder ;)" | < previous 310 of 364 next > Local Boy Brett Simpson Gives Huntington Beach its Biggest Reason to Celebrate HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. -- Local boy Brett Simpson, 24, defeated Australian Mick Fanning at the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing today, putting the cherry on top of a city-wide celebration commemorating 50 years of hosting surfing tournaments. The win earned Simpson $100,000, the biggest check ever written for winning a pro surfing contest, but that money is likely to be spent before he can get off the beach. Not only is there an I.R.S. agent behind on site, but tradition demands Simpson buy a round of drinks for all the fans cheering him on. With more than forty thousand on the beach here in Surf City U.S.A. celebrating this annual surfing festival, he'll be in debt long before midnight. But that's of little importance to Brett, who has just one thing on his mind this year; qualifying for surfing's major leagues. When asked if he had to choose between the $100,000 and breaking through to the ASP World Tour it didn't take him long to remember what he's here for. "Oh, that's a tough one, but for me it's all about qualifying." The 2500 points he earned for this win will certainly go a ways in securing him a spot. Coming into this event Brett was rated 9th on the World Qualifying Series (WQS). He needs to stay in the Top 16 to qualify.  Simpson was lethal on his backhand all week long. Surfing in his own backyard certainly didn't hurt his cause. Photo: ASP/Victor Decolongon via Getty Images. Fanning was impressive the entire week. The 2007 world champion was one of the fan favorites from the offset, especially since this was his first time competing here in years. Mick traded blows with Simpson early on in the Final, and things were close up until the third exchange. After Fanning fell on his backhand, Simpson made the most of the open door, pulling an air reverse that earned him a 9.10. After that Fanning failed to recover.  Mick Fanning, the 2007 world champion, thrilled the crowd all week with his impressive surfing. But he was upset by Simpson in the Final. "I'm stoked for Brett," Fanning said, "because I know there's nothing better than winning in front of your home crowd." Photo: ASP/Victor Decolongon via Getty Images "This is a fairytale story for this city," says Bob Hurley, who played the key role attracting the world's best surfers back to Huntington Beach for the first time in over a decade with the record setting prize. "To have a local boy win this against the world's best just puts the sugar on top of a historic week here." Simpson credited that hometown crowd for the energy boost. "Every time I was running low on energy they pulled me back into it through the whole event. This is just a total dream come true." Results of Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing 1. Brett Simpson (USA) 2. Mick Fanning (AUS) 3. C.J. Hobgood (USA), Adriano De Souza (BRA) 5. Nathaniel Curran (USA), Kelly Slater (USA), Pat Gudauskas (USA), Michel Bourez (PYF) Channels: Surf < previous 310 of 364 next > |
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