US OPEN FINALS Huntington Beach California July 09
Ben Ginsberg
7-26-09

Story and Report by Ben Ginsberg

Adriano de Souza defeated Kelly Slater in the semis and got mobbed on the beach while Slater
shot the pier, went off on his own down the beach, then punched his board back into the water.
Missing a $100,000 payday hurts.

Local boy Brett Simpson won, defeating Australian Mick Fanning in the finals. The wave selection
was about the same, Brett just figured he had nothing to lose. Where Fanning was hopping of a wave
or doing a cutback as it closed out, Simpson was airing out the last hit with amazing success.

In the end that was the difference maker and the 24 year old WQS rider took home the win.
He also qualified for the Hurley Pro the day before by winning the Hurley Pro Trials, and I believe
the points generated from the Open should jump him to the #5 rank on the WQS tour. Not to mention
he's also a Hurley rider since he was a teenager, so Hurley was going as nuts as the HB crowd.

Also there are images from the "WPS All-Stars," fan voted pro's who competed in a tow-in/big air
session between the semi/finals, and the Corona Noseriding Invitational.

ralph@adlantic.com