Huge, challenging Sunset and a sharp, focused Pancho Sullivan were the standouts today as the 2009 Xcel Pro Presented by Honolua completed another day of competition through the quarterfinals.
Sunset began the day at 15′+ with the occasional 18′ set, as strong currents challenged competitors in the earlier heats, with takeoff primarily from the west bowl.
Four-time Xcel Pro champion Pancho Sullivan came out firing from the very first wave of his Round 3 heat. Riding against 3X world champion Andy Irons, ‘07 Xcel Pro champion Joel Centeio, and Maui’s Luke Walsh in Round 3, Sullivan found a picture-perfect line into a barrel and racked up a 9.80 just minutes into the heat.
The high-scoring wave would prove to be insurmountable as Irons and Walsh were eliminated, with Centeio advancing thanks to his own 9.33.
Centeio was later eliminated in the quarterfinals, falling just shy to Waianae’s Charlie Carroll and Sunset local Myles Padaca.
Asked what he did to prepare for the Xcel Pro this year, Sullivan talked about his focus on performance during the tough heat. “For the last month I’ve been training a lot and focusing on surfing at the highest level that I’m capable of, on a consistent basis.”
“Sunset’s probably the most challenging wave I’ve ever surfed,” Sullivan continued. “It forces you to take risks, a really high performance wave. Surfing here is a pretty spectacular feeling.”
After scoring high early in another strong surf advancing him through the quarters, Sullivan will meet Carroll, Padaca, and lone goofy-footer Sean Moody in the first semi-final heat. An all-Hawaiian semi-finals is rounded out by the second heat of Danny Fuller, Shane Beschen, Hank Gaskell, and Daniel Jones.
Today’s delayed start means that the ‘09 Xcel Pro champion will likely be crowned tomorrow (Monday, November 2), with two semi-final heats still to run, building up to the 4-man, 30-minute final. Conditions are expected to drop slightly for Monday morning but should remain contestable should forecasts hold.

Photos credit : BIELMAN/ SPL