(July 24, 2002)

U.S. Open Of Surfing Missing Two Marquee Names
Layne Beachley Won't Be In Huntington Beach For The Event

HUNTINGTON BEACH CA (July 24, 2002) The biggest (and loudest) surfing event of the summer, the U.S. Open of Surfing, begins July 27, and though two big names are out, last year's winners are in.

The bad news first: Current No. 1 on the WCT and 1998 U.S. Open/Op Pro winner Andy Irons, and four-time defending world champ Layne Beachley are out.

While Irons will be resting after the Billabong Pro at Jeffries Bay, Beachley will be pursuing the world's biggest waves as the sole female member of the Billabong Odyssey.

Irons is beginning to roll toward the 2002 world title after consecutive victories at Bells Beach and Teahupoo.

Despite his dominance in Orange County since his double victory in 1997 (victories at the Billabong Pro at Trestles in 2000 and the Rip Curl Pro at Newport Beach last September), he might have the luxury of writing off Huntington Beach's annual WQS event.

Beachley loves Huntington Beach and has won four times. Although she refers to it as a home away from home, she's committed to the Odyssey during her down time between WCT events.

However, who will be here is a long list that includes: last year's winner Rob Machado, defending world champ CJ Hobgood and brother Damien, Tim Curran, Shea Lopez, Shane and Gavin Beschen, Mick Fanning, Taj Burrow, Taylor Knox, Fred Pattachia, Kalani Robb, Pat O'Connell, Bruce Irons, Ross Williams, and Dean Randazzo.

Lisa Andersen heads the women's entries, followed by last year's winner Paulene Menczer, Megan Abubo, Serena Brooke, Prue Jeffries, Jodie Nelson, Melanie Redman, Lynette MacKenzie, Neridah Falconer, Sofia Mulanovich, Jacqueline Silva, Kate Skarrat, Trudy Todd and Heather Clark.

It wouldn't be a longboard contest without defending world champion Colin McPhillips and 1998 champion Joel Tudor. You also can expect to see last year's winner Josh Baxter, Josh Mohr, Zack Howard and Geoff Moysa.

Three big question marks (if you hadn't already been wondering) are Kelly Slater, Sunny Garcia and Cory Lopez. Stay tuned.

[Source: Shawn Price, The Orange County Register]