DANNY FULLER FINDS CAREER-FIRST WIN AT HIC PRO, HAWAII

Danny Fuller - Photo credit: Mitch McEwen/HIC.

Sweet poetic justice was delivered at Sunset Beach today as Kauai's Danny Fuller won the first event of his 15-year career at the HIC PRO and qualified for the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing that begins Wednesday, at Haleiwa. It all went down in triple-overhead surf at a venue famous for being unforgiving, but Fuller, 32, was committed and sharp on his backhand, posting a clear-cut victory in the four-man Final.

Fred Patacchia - Photo credit: Mitch McEwen/HIC.

Fuller has long been respected as one of Hawaii's most talented chargers and versatile surfers in everything from giant surf to dredging barrels. He has made several finals at Pipeline and Sunset over the years, but never tasted victory. That all changed today. 

It was an emotional win on many levels: surfing with a Final full of close friends from Hawaii; winning at home after so many years; and qualifying for the Vans Triple Crown. But this year has been particularly tough for Fuller. His mother was diagnosed with cancer early this year and he withdrew from much competition to tend to family. To dedicate the win to his mother, his wife and young daughter today was a bright moment.

Mason Ho - Photo credit: Mitch McEwen/HIC.

As the official qualifier for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, the HIC PRO and the impact of its results on the ASP Hawaii Regional ratings determined 11 final entrants into the upcoming REEF Hawaiian Pro - stage 1 of the three-event series. They are: Fuller; Kemper; Joel Centeio; Pancho Sullivan; Jamie O'Brien; Reef McIntosh; Landon McNamara; Ian Walsh; Imaikalani Devault; and ASP Junior brothers Seth and Isaiah Moniz.

Billy Kemper - Photo credit: Mitch McEwen/HIC.

FINAL RESULTS:
1. Danny Fuller (HAW) $15,000; 1,000 ratings points
(Score 14.9 points total out of possible 20 - indiv. scores:8.25, 6.65)
2. Fred Patacchia (HAW) $7,500; 750 ratings points
(Score 10.65 points - 6.65, 4.0)
3. Mason Ho (HAW) $5,000; 563 ratings points
(Score 9.7 points - 5.0, 4.7)
4. Billy Kemper (HAW) $3,500; 492 ratings points
(Score 8.65 points - 5.5, 3.15)

Head over to HIC PRO for all the results.

Check the 2014 HIC PRO highlights and get pumped for the 2014 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing which starts November 12th and run through December 20th.