Ian Gentil of Paia posted the fifth-highest heat score on the opening day of activity in the Vans World Cup of Surfing, and was one of five competitors from Maui to advance through the first round in waves of 3-5 feet at Sunset Beach on Oahu's North Shore.
Gentil won his heat with a 14.43, which included a wave worth 7.60 points, ninth-best of the day in the second event of the Vans Triple Crown.
Ian Walsh of Haiku and Billy Kemper of Kuau also won their heats.
Article Photos
Ian Gentil of Paia posted the fifth-highest heat score on the first day of the Vans World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach on Oahu’s North Shore.
Association of Surfing Professionals / Kelly Cestari photo
Kai Barger of Haiku had a wave worth 7.90 points, the sixth-best of the day, on the way to placing second in his heat and advancing to the round of 96, where he will be grouped with Gentil.
Hana's Hank Gaskell finished as the runner-up in his heat with a 14.00, which ranked sixth in the round.
Tanner Hendrickson of Haiku, Kevin Sullivan of Lahaina and Dege O'Connell of Hana were eliminated.
Olamana Eleogram of Hana, Granger Larsen of Napili and Dusty Payne of Lahaina received byes to the second round.
