Brett Simpson on Sunday won the U.S. Open of Surfing for the second consecutive year, earning $100,000 and valuable points toward re-qualifying for the ASP World Tour.
Simspon, 25, who blazed through his heats on the strength of slashing top turns at his home break south of the Huntington Beach Pier, took the lead early and was not seriously threatened in the final, in two- to four-foot surf against South Africa's Jordy Smith.There was much more at stake for Simpson, besides the huge payday. While Smith sits atop the World Tour ratings board, Simpson is ranked 24th and faces a strong possibility of being cut in his rookie year when the roster is trimmed from 45 to 32 after the next World Tour contest.
The U.S. Open was not a World Tour competition. However, it was a prime-rated qualifying contest and Simpson's win will significantly boost his chance of carrying enough points at season's end -- if he needs them, and he probably will -- to be a participant on the 2011 World Tour.
Understandably, he was too jubilant to try and figure out the math at this point.
“Last year barely sank in and now I won this year,” the personable natural-footer said. “It’s so hard to imagine it all over again because you have to stay consistent and surf so many heats.
"Luckily I zoned everything out and tried not to worry about the points or the money and that’s when I have competed the best. To be at home with so many friends and family, I’ve enjoyed it so much. To win out here two years in a row is unimaginable.”
The fifth of 10 World Tour competitions, the Billabong Pro Tahiti, is Aug. 23-Sept. 3.Simpson is one of four Southern California rookies -- the others are Pat and Tanner Gudauskas and Nate Yeomans, all from San Clemente -- who are desperate for a high result.
-- Pete ThomasPhoto of a victorious Brett Simpson by Michael Lallande
Comments