Barra Da Tijuca, Brazil (Sunday, Oct 22, 2000)
Hawaiian Sunny Garcia today clinched the 2000 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) world title at Barra beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The 15-year veteran fulfilled his dream by finishing equal third after watching closest rivals leading into the event - Australians Luke Egan and Jake Paterson - both eliminated in the fourth round this morning. Kalani Robb then added to the historic day for Hawaiian surfing by defeating 1999 Rio Surf International champion Taj Burrow (Aus) in the final to win his maiden World Championship Tour (WCT) event.

Garcia, 30, began his 2000 campaign winning back-to-back tournaments in Australia as the season commenced in March, then dominated throughout the year with consistently high results. His extreme determination and focus saw him reach the quarterfinals, or better, in eight out-of-12 events, climaxing today with the ultimate goal. After winning his fourth round match against Brazilian Fabio Gouveia this morning, the Hawaiian nervously watched Egan and Paterson contest the same round, in a situation almost mirroring Australian Mark Occhilupo's position last year, when he became world champion.

Egan was first to lose, being eliminated by eventual contest winner Robb. Following his demise, the weight of the world title fell on Paterson's shoulders when he met fellow Australian Michael Lowe. Though leading at the start, Paterson was unable to maintain his position and as the final siren sounded at approximately 10:40am (local time), a thunderous ovation signified the official moment when Garcia was handed his world crown.

"I don't even know what to say," admitted an emotional Garcia surrounded by media and fellow competitors. "It's been 15-years on tour and after I lost the title in '95 I didn't think I would have another shot. To hold on and keep trying has been really hard, and I've just been very fortunate to have the success I've had this year.

"It's really hard to just sit, watch, and wait," he continued, when asked about his feelings leading up to the moment. "Jake's my really good friend and so is Luke. It's weird to sit and kind of hope they don't make heats. Even though I'm happy, I'm really sad for Luke because he started (the tour) in the same year as me in '86 and I know he's been working really hard, and for him to come up short, for me, was pretty sad. Hopefully he can keep it going next year and we'll have another good race, or if I don't do well, hopefully he does. I'm beyond myself that I'm here, and I won. Like I said, right now I don't even know what to feel. I'm just so stoked."

ASP President and 1978 world champion Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew (Aus) articulated the achievement as follows....

"It's always something special when you see a boyhood dream come true," said Bartholomew. "It took Sunny a long time to climb his personal Mt Everest, but he never quit and this year was symbolic of his whole career, really. It was gritty, and he never finished lower than ninth place. He just wouldn't let the opposition in - there were no chinks in the armor. It's wonderful to see an achievement like this by a tour veteran. I really think that Occy did inspire Sunny. He showed that it isn't just a game for 22 year-olds, this kind of territory is for the true believers."

Robb, who jumped from 18th on the ratings up into 11th after securing his best result of seven years, shared Garcia's elation today. The last time he'd reached a final (1999 in Australia) was also against Burrow, but in their 30-minute decider at Barra beach the result went his way.

"I'm so happy," began Robb after his win. "I can't believe it. He was surfing so good the whole week that I knew I'd probably meet him here in the final. He usually beats me, so I'm just so stoked. I was nervous the whole time and actually thought I was going to puke. You can't expect to win when you're against Taj. You've really got to be on it, and have some luck.

"This is the best day of my surfing career," he continued. "I'd never won a 'CT and Sunny won the world title. I get to share a world title with a Hawaiian and just be stoked. I don't know what to say, I'm just happy."

Defending event champion Burrow started this year's final strong, but after breaking his board midway through the clash, was forced to use a fellow competitors' board since he had broken his spare during round four this morning. Although disadvantaged, the Australian had his work cut out for him regardless, especially once Robb posted an 8.0 - the highest of the final. In the end, Burrow needed a 6.16.

"I'm still so stoked," said Burrow afterward. "I'm stoked for him as it's his first victory. It's too good to be true. The feeling is just unbelievable. I'm stoked and Kalani is stoked. I broke my board halfway through and then Jake (Paterson) brought me... it was one of Armando Daltro's (Brz) boards. It was a 6'1" and I usually ride a 5'11", but it was still all right. Kalani was ripping the whole contest, though, so I can't complain. Obviously I'd like to congratulate Sunny, too. I wish I was in the running and it went down to Pipe (Hawaii), but he just killed it too much."

Finishing equal third today was the new world champion and Brazilian Neco Padaratz. Garcia bowed-out to Burrow after he tried to surf away from the main contest bank to no avail, while Padaratz pushed Robb all the way in their match to secure his equal best finish of the year.

In equal ninth, though playing pivotal roles today, were Egan and Paterson. Both added to the drama surrounding the 2000 world title race with a win-a-piece during the year, and neither gave Garcia an inch as they tried in vain to catch his commanding lead and prolong the crowning as long as possible.

Paterson, 27, is still rated third, and explained his perspective after losing to Lowe this morning.

"It's been a pretty good year," said Paterson. "I've made three finals and can't really complain. I just wish I could have made it more interesting for the finish, but I tried my hardest. I wasn't nervous at all, as I had nothing to lose. I just tried to have fun, but made a few slight mistakes - like you do every heat - but they cost me that one.

"He deserves it," added Paterson, in praise of Garcia. "He's had a great year and such a strong start. 15-years on tour... he's paid his dues (laughs)."

Egan, 30, was in a slighter better position than Paterson leading into Rio, but needed a combination of rides at the end against Robb. Regardless, he is second on the ratings and looks set to secure his best tour finish of 15-years.

"I'm stoked, as no matter what, it's probably going to be the best I've even done," said Egan. "But you get the taste in your mouth, and it's good, so it's hard to swallow when you lose it. Even though Sunny was so consistent all year, it's hard to... I've had the taste in my mouth since I won in Fiji. I've done everything I pretty much could, but he's just been so strong and hasn't lost a beat since winning the first two in the beginning of the year. I'm pretty stoked with my efforts to keep him worried until now, but I would have loved to have done a good thing today and made it interesting at Pipe. My whole focus was to contend with him at Pipe, and I missed out on that which is the most disappointing thing for me. It would have been great to do it all there where the waves really mean something.

"I think I can back it up," he added about next year. "I saw Occy do it last year (win the world title) and it gave me incentive. I definitely want to be a part of it. It's looking like being an incredible year - more compact, so once you get momentum you'll be able to keep it. I'll be back."

On stage, once the results were official, ASP President Bartholomew summed-up the epic day.

"This was history in the making," said Bartholomew. "There were two beautiful achievements for Hawaiian surfing today. Sunny winning his first world title and then Kalani earning his first WCT victory - and it all happened here."

Ends.