Bells Beach, Australia (April 4, 1997)
Australian surfer Mark Occhilupo claimed a $30,000 Jeep Wrangler bonus first prize and $55,000 in the world's richest specialty surfing competition, the $145,000 Rip Curl/Surf Dive'N'Ski Super Skins competition at Bell's Beach today.
In fantastic six-foot surf, Occhilupo blasted his way past world champions Kelly Slater, Tom Carroll and Damien Hardman and a host of the world's best surfers, to claim the biggest individual prize ever. Occhilupo's grand total of $55,000 cash and the $30,000 Jeep Wrangler eclipses by $10,000 the previous biggest prize purse offered in 25 years of international professional surfing history. The contest is an ASP sanctioned Specialty Event.
"It really is an incredible feeling, knowing it's the highest money I have ever received as one prize in 15 years of pro surfing," said Occhilupo, 31, of Queensland's Gold Coast.
"At the moment, it hasn't really sunk in, but I'm sure it will," Occhilupo said. "The waves were just perfect and this competition is easily the best thing that's ever happened to the sport. It's the biggest money and the most professionally run event I've surfed in, so it's great for the sport and us.
"I created a few little feats here today, beating Kelly Slater for the first time in my career and getting my name in the record books for the money, so I'm really stoked," Occhilupo said.
Occhilupo surfed an incredible eight Skins clashes in succession, before fatigue and a great ride by Hawaii's Myles Padaca ended the charge of the surfer known as "The Raging Bull." Occhilupo spent an exhausting four hours in the water.
"I am tired, physically tired," Occhilupo said. "But I don't think I will feel it later. I'll have a few quiet beers and I'm sure I will feel great."
Luke Egan, 27, also of the Gold coast, was the second most successful surfer of the event, claiming three skins and $15,000 before four-time world champion Kelly Slater beat him, claiming one Skin and $5,000.
Other competing surfers from Hawai`i were: Sunny Garcia; Kalani Robb; and Pancho Sullivan.
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