AUSTRALIA’S Joel Parkinson comprehensively won the World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach to set up a head-to-head battle with former world champion Andy Irons for the sport’s triple crown.

Parkinson dominated the final in rising two-metre waves, posting a perfect 10-point ride inside the final 10 minutes to seal the victory.

Hawaiian Irons finished in third position in the final, behind second placegtter South African teenager Jordy Smith, but leads the triple crown standings after winning the first leg late last month in Haleiwa.

Parkinson finished equal fifth in the previous event at Haleiwa.

The triple crown is the most prized title in surfing behind the world crown, already won in 2006 by American Kelly Slater, and will be decided at the Pipeline event starting today.

The World Championship Tour event will be expanded to include a record 64 surfers this year with organisers inviting 16 Pipeline competitors into the standard 48-man line-up for the event.

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(Source: The Age, Australia)