Andy Irons Wins Tahiti

Andy Irons won the Billabong Pro Tahiti in an explosive final with four foot waves at Teahupoo. The victory marks Andy’s 20th at the elite level of competition, and the surfer from Kauai was emotional when regarding his first win in over three years. “I feel like I’m back,” Andy said. “My whole dream was to come back and just win one contest, and I’ve done that now. I want more. And to win at Teahupoo, it’s my favorite wave in the world. It’s a very special win.”

En route to the final, Irons bested reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning, Patrick Gudauskas, and nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater. Andy opened up with a massive, freefall wipeout before utilizing his unparalleled backhand tube-riding skills to net a 14.67 out of a possible 20 and collect the win. “I did it!” Irons said. “I dedicate this win 100 percent to my wife, Lindy. She is everything to me and without her, I’d be nothing. I really, really like competing because I love to win and I feel on top of the world today. I surf because I love to win. I love this feeling.”

Hobgood, one of the premiere tuberiders in the world, was unable to find his way out of multiple barrels in the final bout against Irons. “I had good waves that I could have got the score on and I tried a little harder than I had to,” Hobgood said. “My highest score was only an eight through every heat leading up to this one and I hadn’t had a breakout performance. No one to blame but myself. I’m stoked all the same though. After the win, I told Andy there’s a lot of people pulling for you, including myself.” With the victory, Irons moves from No. 18 to No. 7 on the ASP World Title Race rankings. Photo by Robertson / ASP.

Billabong Pro Tahiti final results:
1: Andy Irons 14.67
2: C.J. Hobgood 8.33

Semifinal results:
1: C.J. Hobgood 15.00 def. Jeremy Flores 12.93
2: Andy Irons 13.57 def. Kelly Slater 10.26