Ho shreds his way to HIC Pro victory

Mason Ho is $16,000 richer after his victory in the HIC Pro surf contest on Saturday at Sunset Beach, the place where he grew up.

In the four-man final and in waves with 12-foot faces, Ho held on in to beat three others — Hawaii’s Finn McGill and Makuakai Rothman and Australia’s Jack Robinson.

Robinson and Rothman were winners in their four-man semifinal heats, but couldn’t get it done in the final.

Ho’s 9.00 ride in the final sealed the victory. He finished with 14.37. Robinson was second with 10.67.

The annual Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is up next for the North Shore, starting with the Hawaiian Pro, Nov. 12-23. That will be followed by the Vans World Cup of Surfing, Nov. 24 to Dec. 6, and the Billabong Pipe Masters, Dec. 8-20.