Maui's Hank Gaskell Wins 2009 Xcel Pro Presented by Honolua Overcomes Sullivan, Padaca, Beschen in Gritty Final Heat
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 2 November, 2009 : - - Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii - Congratulations to Hank Gaskell (HAW), Tahiti-bound champion of this year's 2009 Xcel Pro Presented by Honolua! In a tough final heat of 4 Sunset specialists, Gaskell, 23, showed poise, patience, and smart wave selection to edge out runner-up Pancho Sullivan, third place Myles Padaca, and fourth place finisher Shane Beschen.
"It's an amazing start for my winter - I've never had a result this good in my life," the soft-spoken Gaskell told Xcel after the winner's ceremony on the beach.
Sunday's NW swell declined only slightly for the morning's semi-finals and finals heats, with Sunset clean and delivering 6' to 10' faces on the west peak. Swell conditions and extended heat times challenged competitors to be patient and find workable faces with scoring potential. Check the gallery
Solid off-the-top turns put Gaskell ahead of last year's Xcel Pro winner Pancho Sullivan, whose trademark frontside hacks weren't enough to get him past the up-and-comer from Hana. Gaskell's consistently steady performances produced heat wins in Rounds 2, 3, and the quarterfinals, silently working his way into a final where Sullivan appeared to have the momentum needed to defend his '08 Xcel Pro championship.
Displaying an aggressive, determined style that made him a standout through the competition, Sullivan seemed poised for a record fifth Xcel Pro title. However, 35 minutes and some open-face sets gave Gaskell the opportunities needed to earn his first big WQS win. "I felt good out there today," Gaskell continued. "I was trying to get the middle runner waves and just do my own thing."
Hank Gaskel : photo courtesy Xcel Wetsuits
Scoring waves from all four finalists led to a tight call as the winner was unclear until the beachside ceremony's check and lei presentation. Gaskell will appear next in the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, which continues the North Shore winter season at Haleiwa with the Reef Hawaiian Pro from November 12 through 23.
The 2009 Xcel Pro win earns Gaskell $5,000, 500 ASP WQS points, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Tahiti with entry into the 2010 VonZipper Trials at Teahupoo.
The winner of the VonZipper Trials is wild-carded into the prestigious WCT Billabong Pro Tahiti. "I'm really excited for Chopes," Gaskell said when asked about the Trials trip. "I haven't been there yet - it'll be a new experience at one of the best waves in the world. I can't wait."
About the Xcel Pro Celebrating its 26th anniversary this year, the 2009 Xcel Pro Presented by Honolua is a 2-Star ASP WQS event with a $25,000 purse, drawing pros and amateurs alike to world-class Sunset Beach along Oahu's North Shore.
Honolua Surf Co. is the presenting sponsor of the event and is joined by associate sponsors VonZipper, Kustom, and Surfline. Surf News Network also supports the event as the official contest hotline (808-596-7873).
Xcel Pro Past Champions1984 Kerry Terukina 1985 Denton Miyamura 1986 Hans Hedemann 1987 Ronnie Burns 1988 Michael Ho 1989 Richard Schmidt 1990 Michael Ho 1991 Michael Ho 1992 Sunny Garcia 1993 Kaipo Jaquias 1994 Derek Ho 1995 Kaipo Jaquias 1996 Michael Ho 1997 Andy Irons 1998 Pancho Sullivan 1999 Bruce Irons 2000 Pancho Sullivan 2001 Gavin Beschen 2002 Fred Pattachia 2003 Pancho Sullivan 2004 Fred Pattachia 2005 Ian Walsh 2006 Evan Valiere 2007 Joel Centeio
About Xcel: Founded in 1982, Xcel International, Inc. (Xcel) is a global wetsuit brand distributed throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim. Headquartered on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, Xcel's core wetsuit business focuses on the cutting edge of material and design development. Xcel's primary markets include surf, dive, wakeboard, paddle, and sun (UV protection). In addition to its North Shore office, Xcel has retail locations on Oahu, Kauai, and Maui; and a warehouse/repair facility in California.
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