Andy Irons wins in Chile

The Rip Curl Pro Search in Arica Chile is over. To finish off my writing about the El Gringo event I am giving you the results and some blah blah from the competitors together with some really cool photos from the event. Congrats Andy!

Andy defeated Damien Hobgood in the finals and now sits in third place on the ASP tour.

Andy Irons on the Rip Curl Search in Chile

Rip Curl Pro Search Chile Champion Andy Irons on his Final victory: “It was a battle. I was hitting the reef and getting worked, but I tried to play it smart and catch the inside waves. Damien is an amazing competitor. He has beaten me before in Tavarua so I knew I had my work cut out for me. Those inside waves paid off for me and I got that 9 and it sealed the deal.”

Irons on the Globe Trophy awarded to the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile Champion: “They’re the best trophies – they’re epic. They’re my favorite trophy and I’ve got one for the living room and one for the mantle now.

Irons on his hunt for the 2007 Foster’s ASP World Title: “I didn’t go anywhere. I was always right there in the World Title race. I just had one bad contest that I’m throwing away and I can’t wait. It’s game on.”

Irons on the conditions for his Final bout against Damien Hobgood: “There weren’t too many waves. Damien was waiting for the sets and it was almost better to not have priority. I caught whatever came in. If anything came my way, I was going for it. You can never count Damien out though. With two minutes to go, I was still nervous.”

Irons on his heat-winning 9-point wave: “It was a set wave and kind of bumpy. Damien was paddling out and I got in just underneath it. When I was coming out, I did an extra stall to male sure that I got behind the hook. I came out with a bit of emotion to show them I liked it and it paid off.”

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH FINAL:
Final: Andy Irons (HAW) vs. Damien Hobgood (USA)

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Andy Irons (HAW) 16.33 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.33
SF 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.13 def. CJ Hobgood (USA) 12.00

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH CHILE QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Andy Irons (HAW) 14.67 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5.43
QF 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.67 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 12.50
QF 3: CJ Hobgood (USA) 14.83 def. Dean Morrison (AUS) 10.17
QF 4: Damien Hobgood (USA) 12.17 def. Bruno Santos (BRA) 7.50

Foster’s ASP World Tour Ratings after the Rip Curl Pro Search Chile
1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 3984 points
2. Damien Hobgood (USA) 3374 points
3. Andy Irons (HAW) 3189 points
4. Taj Burrow (AUS) 3086 points
5. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 3072 points
6. Kelly Slater (USA) 2808 points
7. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 2457 points
8. Kai Otton (AUS) 2301 points
9. Daniel Wills (AUS) 2210 points
10. Travis Logie (ZAF) 2210 points