Hawaii's Sunny Garcia One Day Away From World Surfing Crown

SAN CLEMENTE, CA -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- 10/02/00 -- For many years, California-based surfers on the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour have wished for the chance to take on the world at Lower Trestles, one of the state's most storied wave locations.

However, none of them will be around for Saturday's climactic day of the Billabong Pro, the first World Championship Tour ever held at Lowers in the 25-year history of the sport.

Carlsbad's Taylor Knox and Laguna Niguel's Pat O'Connell were defeated in very close heats in 3-4 foot waves Friday, ending the attempt by California surfers to win the prestigious title. Another surfer who made San Clemente his home for much of the past five years, Florida's Shea Lopez, did reach the quarters by edging Hawaii's Shane Dorian.

Knox fell to Australian Taj Burrow in the day's final heat, while O'Connell lost to Brazil's Guilherme Herdy.

Now, the final day of the Billabong Pro will center on season-long leader Sunny Garcia. After 15 years of great performances and close calls, the Hawaiian star could be one day away from his first world surfing title.

The 30-year-old Garcia squeaked past Australian Michael Lowe in good 3-4 foot surf Friday. If he wins the Billabong Pro Saturday, he is the new Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour champion. It will be the first time in the 25-year history of professional surfing that a men's world champion will be crowned in a U.S. mainland event.

As Garcia focuses on the three heats he must win Saturday, he can look back with great relief at the final 30 seconds of his heat Friday. He held the lead, but Lowe caught a wave that appeared to give him the 6.9 points he would need to upset the season-long points leader. However, Lowe fell at a crucial moment while otherwise destroying the wave, and barely missed out with a wave score of 6.5.

The surf forecast calls for waves of 4-6 feet with excellent form on Saturday.

For more information, contact Holly Kusko, Bob Yehling or Mandy McKinnon at the Billabong Pro media headquarters at 949-492-8914.