Local Sports

Maui surfers in action on Day 1 at Bells Beach

Maui's Eli Hanneman (first photo) competes during the opening round of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach today in Victoria, Australia. Hanneman was sent to the elimination round with a third-place finish in his opening heat. Hanneman had a two-wave score of 9.90, finishing behind fellow Mauian Imaikalani deVault (second photo), who had a 11.23, and Italy's Leonardo Fioravanti (12.00). Joining deVault in advancing to the bracket stage was Maui's Ian Gentil (third photo), who placed second in his heat with a 12.06. The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach is the fourth stop on the World Surf League Championship Tour and penultimate event before the mid-season cut at Margaret River. DeVault (tied for 12th place in the standings) and Gentil (tied for 18th) enter Bells Beach among those in position to make the 24-surfer cut, while Hanneman is just outside, in a tie for 28th.