9 Aug 2010

Local boy thrills home crowd with victory at US Open of Surfing

11:21 am on 9 August 2010

Local hero Brett Simpson claimed the US Open of Surfing for the second straight year, defeating South Africa's Jordy Smith in the final overnight to claim the $US100,000 winner's cheque.

Simpson proved too strong in one-metre waves at South Huntington Beach to outclass Smith, who had earlier beaten Australian Mick Fanning in the semi-finals.

Simpson's score of 13.97 to Smith's 8.33 in the final ensured unimaginable back-to-back wins at the lucrative event.

Tour rookie Simpson, who defeated Fanning in the 2009 final, rose to the challenge again this year, topping a marquee list of surfers that included nine-time world champion Kelly Slater.