Local Mexican standout David Rutherford (Puerto Escondido, MEX), charged to victory at his home break of the Mexican Pipeline today to clinch an emphatic win at the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido over international standouts Kevin Sullivan (Lahaina, HAW), 23, Casey Brown (Kona, HI), 22, and Ricardo dos Santos (BRA), 20 in excellent four-to-six foot (2-3 meter) high-performance barrels.
The Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido’s unique location on the Mexican Pipeline attracted a big list of up-and-coming competitors but also included an assemblage of local talent as well as several of the world’s most renowned big-wave surfers.
Rutherford, who was a Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido wildcard, went on an absolute tear on the final day of competition, threading a perfect 10-point ride on an amazing backside barrel in his Semifinal heat before amassing the highest heat total of the entire event in the Final, a near-flawless 18.45 out of 20 to secure the victory.
“I guess I was just trying to get some scores to back me up, and they ended up being pretty good scores,” Rutherford said. “I was trying to get one of those big sets, but I never really had the chance to get one of those bombs. I just couldn’t be any happier right now to win.”
The Mexican Pipeline charger was thrilled to clinch the major ASP victory in front of his home crowd to bring this year’s Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido title to Mexico while representing the local surfers.
“I couldn’t be any happier,” Rutherford said. “I’m so happy, I’ve just been having so much fun throughout this event and it feels good to represent for the locals.”
Sullivan raced through incredible barrels on both his forehand and backhand throughout the final day of competition but was unable to surpass Rutherford’s unstoppable performance for the title. However, he was satisfied with his runner-up result.
“Words can’t even describe how I feel right now,” Sullivan said.
“It was hard out there. You pretty much have to just be in the right spot when the waves come because it’s a beach break. I got a couple in the final, but I didn’t really get the sets to get the scores, but David (Rutherford) did. I’m stoked for him. To make the Final and have David win, it’s the best day of my life.”
Sullivan, who is hungry to build a seed on the ASP World Ranking, was relieved to capitalize on the invaluable rating points earned at the ASP 4-Star event in his first professional Final appearance.
“I’m so stoked on this result,” Sullivan said. “I’ve been grinding away for over three years, and to make my first professional final after that time, it’s something I’ve worked for my whole life, and to live this moment is something I won’t forget.”
Brown, who finished third overall, locked into an impressive righthand barrel to the tune of 9.60 out of 10 in the Final but was unable to find a backup score to take the win.
Dos Santos charged through the massive swell that ignited the early days of competition as well and finished in an impressive fourth place overall.
2010 Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido | Final
1. David Rutherford (MEX) 18.45
2. Kevin Sullivan (HAW) 14.25
3. Casey Brown (HAW) 13.35
4. Ricardo dos Santos (BRA) 13.15