Vans Announces $1,000,000 Triple Crown Prize Purse

Michel Bourez, 2008 Reef Hawaiian Pro Champ.

It's finally here! The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is about to start. As we approach the waiting period's first day, the energy on the islands continues to rise. The surfing world lands in the North Shore of Oahu for its yearly rituals.

FUEL TV is putting together another sick HD quality live webcast during the final four days of the Billabong Pipeline Masters. Stay tuned for more info about it!

The 6-star WQS Reef Haleiwa Pro, the first jewel, starts November 12th and reignites the battle for the last spots in the 2010 Dream Tour. This is the place to step up if you want a chance to battle the world's best. Haleiwa is not an easy wave and it has been considered by many locals to be one of the most challenging waves in the islands.

On a year that was marked by record-breaking prizes in pro surfing, Vans announced an increase on the Triple Crown purse, which now reaches the one million dollar mark. The extra money definitely adds some excitement to the game and makes sure that the top surfers in the world are hungry for it. Good closure for a good year, read more details on the press release below.

On top of the prize boost, a Triple Crown event will decide who's the new 2009 ASP World Champion. The Billabong Pipeline Masters will host the "battle of the Ozzies," Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson, as they go at each other, fighting for the title.

FUEL TV is gonna bring you daily updates, video highlights and lots more. Stay tuned for all the drama, Hawaiian style!

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The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink makes history today, announcing the Triple Crown - Triple Threat bonus purse that makes this prestigious Hawaiian series the first $1,000,000 stop on the Association of Surfing Professionals Dream Tour. More than 150 surfers from 17 nations have a crack at the loot as the series kicks off this Thursday, November 12, at Haleiwa on Oahu's North Shore.

Vans is very proud to announce that the Triple Crown - Triple Threat will award $50,000 to the men's Triple Crown series champion, an extra $50,000 for the Billabong Pipeline Masters winner, a $50,000 bonus to the ASP's men's world champion, and a $25,000 bonus to the women's Triple Crown champion. The $175,000 Triple Threat is in addition to the existing $825,000 in event prize money, making for a $1million total purse.

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing will culminate with the final battle for the 2009 ASP world title at the Billabong Pipeline Masters, December 8-20. Not since 2006 and the world title battle between Kelly Slater (Florida) and Andy Irons (Hawaii), has there been such a climax to the showdown. This year it will be between Australians Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning, and on that final day, it is possible that one surfer could walk away with a record $230,000.

Joel Parkinson, winner of the 2008 Triple Crown of Surfing.

"2009 has been an incredible year for pro surfing and this Hawaii showdown will be a fitting finale," said Doug Palladini, Vice President of Marketing at Vans.

"Vans has a 43-year history of giving back to action sports and I can think of no better way to carry on that tradition than with the Triple Threat bonus purse. On behalf of all the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing staff, our event partners Billabong, Reef, O'Neill, Gidget and the ASP, we are proud to share our aloha with the talented surfers who have made the Vans Triple Crown what it is today."