Hennessy and Mamiya Championship Tour Reach Winner’s Circle at the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach
Brisa Hennessy made history by becoming the first Costa Rican to win a Championship Tour event. The 22-year-old took down Bettylou Sakura Johnson in the semifinals and Malia Manuel in the finals.
Hennessy started in the lead but Manuel’s opening of 6.33 put her back in the mix before taking the lead. After a 5.23 by Hennessy put her back into the lead. Manuel went for a major maneuver, but faltered, leaving room for Hennessy, who posted a 7.00 to earn her country’s first Championship Tour victory.
Manuel entered the season was a World Surf League wildcard and now is number two in the world, while Hennessy has climbed to first in the world rankings.
As for Barron Mamiya, he entered as a wildcard and took down several veterans on his way to his first Championship Tour title. In doing so, he became the first wildcard winner on tour since 2008. After a priority mistake by Mamiya, he came back strong to earn a score of 15. That meant Kanoa Igarashi needed a 9.50 score to take the title. After a two-turn combo landed Igarashi an 8.83, he needed two waves in the last two minutes to take the title. He came up short, as Mamiya took over top spot in the world with his first victory.
Igarashi went through Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing, both of Australia, before falling to Mamiya. The 24-year-old Igarashi will look to get back in the winner’s circle at the MEO Portugal Pro, the third stop of the season which will run from March 3 through March 13.
