SURFING : Gill, on Her Own Terms, Tops Menczer

Tricia Gill left the women’s surfing tour six years ago because it was wearing on her. She still wanted to surf, but not on demand--competition would be her choice.

This year, Gill, 28, chose to compete in both the Op Pro and the U.S. Open of Surfing. Without the pressure of world standings and constant touring, she has shined in the two contests at Huntington Beach Pier.

In the second round of the U.S. Open’s main event, Gill beat 1993 world champion Pauline Menczer. At her mother’s coaching, Gill caught a wave with the opening buzzer, instead of waiting for the best waves in the 3- to 5-foot surf.

With four minutes to go in the 25-minute heat, Menczer needed a 7.9 to move into first place. Gill, of Carlsbad, paddled around the priority buoy to keep Menczer from catching the wave she needed.

“We’re friends, so I feel bad,” Gill said of her maneuver that spelled the end for Menczer. “When I was on the tour, I never even used the priority buoy.”

Gill will face Kylie Webb of Australia in the quarterfinals today at 2:20 p.m.

In men’s surfing, all four wild cards advanced to the third round. Surfing in better conditions at 6 a.m., former world champion Tom Curren had the best wave selection, catching three barrel rides from only four waves. He scored a 9.17, the highest score of the day. One judge gave him a perfect 10.