HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Sunday, July 26, 2009) – Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach, CA), 24, has claimed the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing over former ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (Coolangatta, AUS), 28, in front of an ecstatic hometown crowd, netting surfing’s biggest victory purse ever – US$100,000."I felt this was my chance and you don't get a lot of chances," Simpo said, still in shock after his momentous WQS six-star victory. "A local hasn't won this comp in such a long time so it means everything to me to hold down the fort at home."
"It is a home court advantage but I was still looking at what Mick was doing because he's such a great surfer," Simpo acknowledged in front of HB's eclectic crowd. "It's amazing to wake up and be at home. It's just like Mick at Snapper. It pays off a lot."
The final began with three exchanges that proved to be the deciding waves. Simpo went left. Fanning answered. Simpo went right. Fanning did too. But then, Fanning jumped on a smaller left which proved fatal. Simpson immediately linked into a solid righthander, threw a sizeable hack before launching into a massive air reverse for a 9.1. And this was all in the first ten minutes. Fortunately for the local boy, the HB southside -- which saw waves up to triple-overhead (yes, that big) earlier in the week -- went strangely quiet for the rest of their thirty-minute duel.
U.S. OPEN OF SURFING FINAL RESULTS:
1 - Brett Simpson (USA) 16.93
2 - Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.50
