GRINDTV NEWSWIRE via ASP: PUERTO ESCONDIDO, Oaxaca, Mexico (Thursday, July 22, 2010) - Local standout David Rutherford (Puerto Escondido, MEX), 25, charged to victory at his home break today to clinch an emphatic win at the ASP 4-Star Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido. His win topped international standouts Kevin Sullivan (Lahaina, HA), 23, Casey Brown (Kona, HI), 22, and Ricardo dos Santos (BRA), 20, in excellent four-to-six foot high-performance barrels.
The Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido's unique location on the Mexican Pipeline attracted a big list of up-and-coming competitors, an assemblage of local talent and several of the world's most renowned big-wave surfers.
Rutherford, who was a Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido wildcard entry, went on an absolute tear during 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. 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'm so happy to have won here at home. It means a lot to us locals to keep the title here in Puerto," Rutherford said. "The waves pumped throughout the entire event, and I was doing my best to pace myself so I had enough energy for the finals. It was such a great contest and everybody charged. Viva Mexico!"
Second place finisher 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. Nonetheless, he was satisfied with his runner-up result. Sullivan, who is hungry to build a seed on the ASP World Ranking, was relieved to capitalize on the invaluable ratings points earned at the ASP 4-Star event in his first professional final appearance.
"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 did. I'm stoked for him. To make the Final and have David win, it's the best day of my life."
For 2010 Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido highlights log on to www.quiksilver.com/puerto/ . For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org
Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido Final Results:
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
