Australian Thomas Woods took advantage of high-performance wave conditions to post the highest heat score of the day Friday at the HIC Pro at Sunset Beach.

The contest is an official qualifier for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, the holding period for which begins Monday. The HIC Pro will wrap up today.

The 19-year-old Woods scored a 17.82 out of 20 with a fine display of technical and power surfing in 2- to 4-foot surf.

"This was my first contest ever at Sunset and I was just cruising," Woods said. "There wasn’t any hassling going on like in some of the heats earlier in the day. We all took turns and I ended up getting some really good waves."

Hawaii’s Kekoa Bacalso finished second in the heat with a 13.80. Bacalso, a former World Tour surfer, used his experience and skill to move on in the event.

"It was a little inconsistent out there. The best ones were not the sets. It was more the in-between ones that were good," he said. "It was your typical day at Sunset. My strategy was staying busy and get a quick start."

Two-time winner Fredrik Patacchia made it through to the round of 32 with some last-minute heroics for some solid backhand surfing.

"I kind of had a nail-biter out there," Patacchia said. "I needed a 7.1 in the end, got a 7.3 and held on to advance. I got second in that heat, but until the final it’s just as good as long as you are making it. That was my first heat for the winter season, so it feels good to make it. I like surfing this event because you get to try out bigger boards in a competition environment, which is a perfect primer for the Triple Crown."

Other notable surfers to advance were defending champion Ezekiel Lau, Keanu Asing, Jean Da Silva of Brazil, Kahea Hart and Australian Dion Atkinson.