Ballard Holds Off Aussie Pair for Wahine Title

Despite a collision with the pier the day before, Rochelle Ballard showed no fear Friday as she came back to win the Wahine’s championship final at the G-Shock U.S. Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach.

On Thursday, Ballard was slammed into the Huntington Beach Pier during her semifinal heat, suffering a large bump on the head and some cuts and bruises on her body. Ballard was taken to a local hospital and later released.

“I just put the pier [incident] behind me,” Ballard said. “Oh, I thought about my accident every time I got close to the pier, but I just wanted to . . . win this event.”

Finishing second and third were Australians Pam Burridge and Neridah Falconer. Lisa Andersen of Ormond Beach, Fla., was last.

It was Ballard’s first victory in a Huntington Beach contest since she turned professional seven years ago.

Ballard, who also is competing in the more prestigious Kahlua women’s championship, advanced to the quarterfinals Friday afternoon along with Andersen.

In men’s Open competition, Tom Curren and Kelly Slater advanced to the third round.

Curren, a former world champion who has been surfing flawlessly, won his ninth heat, beating defending AirTouch Pro champion Kaipo Jaquias of Waipahu, Hawaii; Shawn Sutton of Ewa Beach, Hawaii; and Cory Lopez of San Clemente. Jaquias advanced as runner-up.

Slater, the defending champion who is seeking an unprecedented fifth world title, finished second in his heat to advance.

Competition continues today, starting at 7 a.m.