It was slow and unsteady Saturday at the Billabong Pipe Masters.
Due to smallish surf and a diminishing swell after just three morning heats, World Surf League organizers called off competition for the day at about 11:20 a.m., with all of the world-title scenarios remaining the same.
Today, the second round will begin if competitors get the green light. A new swell is on the way, but it is forecast to be small in the morning and building throughout the day, which means it could be another stop-and-go type of situation. From this afternoon through the end of the contest window Wednesday, waves are expected to be plenty big enough — 5 to 7 feet — and all fingers are crossed for the preferred light offshore winds.
Sebastian Zietz was the only Hawaii surfer in the water Saturday and he placed second in his three-man heat to move on to the second round.
Two world-title contenders — No. 2 Gabriel Medina of Brazil and No. 4 Julian Wilson of Australia — will hit the Pipeline waves in the first and third heats of the second round. No. 1 John John Florence of Haleiwa, who is going for a second straight world crown, and No. 4 Jordy Smith of South Africa, who also has a shot at the big prize, won their first-round heats Monday to go directly to the third round.
If any of the four stumble today, it will spell doom for their championship hopes. Florence can win it all by capturing his first Pipe Masters title. He can win in other scenarios, but the only way the others can get it done is by making it farther at Pipe than the three others.
Ganot hosts Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser
Hawaii basketball coach Eran Ganot will host a Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach on Wednesday.
Ganot, Hall of Fame coach Mike Montgomery and to-be-determined coaches from the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic tournament will be at the event, which runs between 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Outrigger’s Reef Bar and Grill. Seats are $100 per guest.
To purchase seats, call 808-523-3688.
Castro lifts Chaminade women over Hilo
Destiny Castro finished with 26 points and 14 rebounds and hit the go-ahead free throw with eight seconds remaining as the Chaminade women’s basketball team beat Hawaii Hilo 69-67 on Saturday at McCabe Gym.
Castro’s free throw with 13 seconds left tied it at 67. She hit another five seconds later to give the Silverswords (1-4, 1-3 PacWest) the lead.
Chaminade’s Diamond Carter hit a free throw with under a second remaining for the final margin.
Breann Nueku added 16 points for the Silverswords.
Safia Sheikh and Allie Navarette both scored 21 points for the Vulcans (2-3, 1-2).
>> Samantha Lambrigtsen scored 17 points as Hawaii Pacific beat Harding (Ark.) 78-69 at St. Francis School.
Spencer Gray added 11 points and Janessa Manzano added 10 for the Sharks (7-2).
Caroline Hogue and Sydnie Jones both scored 13 points for the Royals, who played the game as an exhibition.