Conditions on the North Shore were clean prior to the Rip Curl Cup at Sunset then the trades picked up to over 35 mph. CJ Hogbood freesurfing Gas Chambers.

CJ's first round heat at the Rip Curl Cup included twin brother Damien and 16 year old Kekoa Bacalso from Oahu who defeated Slater in the Trials. CJ and Dam advanced.

Ben defeated #2 rated Occy man-on-man then later put out Danny Wills who was the last of 8 contenders for the title. This gave fellow East Coaster CJ the World Title.

CJ Hobgood totally ecstatic when announced as the 2001 ASP World Champ! "I love you Ben" yelled CJ as Bourgeois walked up the beach after his heat with Wills.

Damien Hobgood defeated Aussie Nathan Hedge in their man-on-man encounter finishing an equal ninth place and $5 grand richer.

In a super close heat Hawaii's Kalani Robb charged past Jake"the Snake" Paterson in round 3 foiling the Aussie's plan of taking the World Title Down Under.

Myles Padaca caught a wave with 20 seconds left scoring high enough to eliminate CJ. The local Hawaiian went on to win the Rip Curl Cup and Triple Crown titles.

Cory Lopez was rated 3rd on the WCT going into the final event at Sunset. Unfortunately the Floridian fell short against California's Shane Beschen in Round 2.