SURFING : Waves Get Bigger, Andersen Gets Better to Win Crown

World champion Lisa Andersen again proved why she is at the top of her sport, winning the Op Pro women’s surfing championship on Saturday at the Huntington Beach pier.

Andersen, who finished second here last year to Frieda Zamba of Flagler Beach, Fla., rode each wave she caught in characteristic aggressive style.

During the 30-minute final heat, the lead changed hands between Australia’s Pauline Menczer, Andersen and upstart Patricia Rossi of Tahiti. But as the wave size increased--a condition that she thrives on--Andersen got better. She seized the victory with a high-scoring ride with less than a minute left.

“It was anyone’s game out there,” said Andersen, of Ormond Beach, Fla. “But the conditions were good, and I was able to catch some good waves.”

Former world champion Kim Mearig’s comeback was cut short in the morning’s semifinals. Mearig, 31, of Santa Barbara, who trailed Rossi and Andersen throughout her heat, was unable to catch as many high-scoring waves as her younger counterparts and was eliminated.

Andersen, who had strep throat a few days earlier, seemed to have no problems, quickly taking first place with the day’s highest women’s score early in the heat. She remained first throughout the 20-minute competition.

Andersen will return to Huntington Beach next week to defend her title in the U.S. Open.

The Op men’s final will be held today.