Reef Hawaiian Pro is a go

The Reef Hawaiian Pro, the first event of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, starts today after a longer than usual wait.

The waiting period began Nov. 12 and there haven’t been contestable waves at Haleiwa Beach Park since then.

"In the 29-year history of running the Vans Triple Crown, we’ve never gone this far without running one competitive day," said Randy Rarick, executive director of the series. "But we knew it was possible, given it’s a La Niña year. We saw a similar pattern last year, but this year La Niña is more strengthened. This is precisely why we have a 12-day window."

A west-northwest swell in the shoulder-high range with offshore wind conditions is expected today.

The contest will continue through the end of the waiting period on Wednesday.

Hawaii’s Flynn Novak, Jamie O’Brien, Ian Gentil and Ian Walsh are slated to surf today.

The second event of the series, the Vans World Cup of Surfing, runs Nov. 25 through Dec. 6 at Sunset Beach.

The third event, the Billabong Pipe Masters, is scheduled for Dec. 8-20.

Sallas wins longboard event

Kai Sallas of Waikiki defeated Taylor Jensen of California in the final of the Bear Pro Italy longboard contest on Sunday.

Sallas won 17.17 to 13.50 in small surf in the Association of Surfing Professionals World Longboard Tour event.

Jensen recently clinched the tour championship.

Alaska Fairbanks keeps UHH winless

Autumn Greene scored 16 points to lead Alaska Fairbanks to a 64-55 women’s basketball win over Hawaii-Hilo in the Vulcan Classic on Sunday in Hilo.

Nicole Bozek had nine rebounds for the Nanooks (2-3).

Hotia Vaaimamao scored 13 points to lead the Vulcans (0-4).