Youth is served well at women’s final

There was a youth movement Saturday at the Huntington Beach Pier.

Fourteen-year-old Malia Manuel of Hawaii became the youngest champion at the U.S. Open of Surfing when she captured the women’s crown following a two-person heat that included fellow Hawaiian Coco Ho.

Manuel was all smiles — and wide-eyed — following her surprising run to the title.

“I can’t believe it,” she said, moments after her triumph. “I feel lucky to be here. I was just trying to have fun and enjoy the experience of the U.S. Open, and have fun surfing with my friend, Coco. I was happy that both of us made the finals.”

Manuel was able to get a big wave score early and then maintained the advantage throughout the finals heat.

Ho, just 17, needed to land a minimum wave score of 8.17 in the final five minutes of the heat to take the lead, but no ample set came in down the stretch.

Manuel outscored Ho, 14.34 to 7.90.

Manuel and Ho are the youngest finalists ever in the history of the U.S. Open, which is the world’s largest professional surfing competition.

Manual received $4,500 and Ho took home $2,300.

“I think I’ll buy some tires and rims for my Honda Civic, so when I’m 16, I can drive it,” Manuel said.

Manuel drove one of the big favorites for the women’s crown right out of the competition during Saturday’s quarterfinals.

She scored a major knockout by eliminating Sofia Mulanovich of Peru. Mulanovich is the top-rated woman on the World Tour and won the Women’s U.S. Open title in 2006.

In the semifinal round, Ho also delivered a big blow when she ousted Australia’s Stephanie Gilmore, who is No. 2 on the World Tour and last year won the Women’s U.S. Open.

Manuel’s victory also denied the U.S. Open another first: having one athlete with two contests at the same event.

A little more than an hour before competing for the Women’s U.S. Open title, Ho won the S3 Supergirl Junior Pro final.

Had Ho won the Women’s pro title, she would have become the first surfer to win two events at the same U.S. Open. Ho led throughout a four-person finals heat that included Sage Erickson (USA), Nikita Robb (South Africa) and Courtney Conlogue of Santa Ana.

Conlogue, who was eliminated Wednesday from contention for the Women’s U.S. Open title, was emotional following the Supergirl Junior Pro.

“I was throwing it really hard and it just wasn’t happening for me,” said Conlogue, tears welling in her eyes. “Hopefully, it will pay off for me in a World title heat. I needed two above-average scores to win but it just wasn’t happening.

“Coco’s always been an amazing surfer. Kudos to her for making both finals. I’m stoked that she’s been able to show her stuff.”

MIKE SCIACCA covers sports. He can be reached at (714) 966-4611 or by e-mail at michael.sciacca@latimes.com.