Beschen Still Rolling at Surf Games

Shane Beschen of the U.S. team continued to dominate the World Surfing Games Wednesday at the Huntington Beach Pier.

Beschen, nearly flawless on the fourth day of competition, defeated the top Australian, Michael Berry, 27.27 to 16.83, to reach the third round. Beschen, of San Clemente, also had the day’s highest wave score (9.60) after catching a barrel followed by several cutbacks before connecting to the shore break.

Also winning his heat and advancing for the U.S. team was Omar Etcheverry of Santa Cruz, who upset Australian Barton Lynch. Lynch, eliminated from the main round, finished third after Portugal’s Jose Gregerio caught a wave in the last 10 seconds of the heat to take second.

Two other U.S. surfers advanced. In the closest heat of the day, Jeremy Saukel of Satellite Beach, Fla., edged Ireland’s Joe McNulty, 17.43 to 17.03. Bryan Hewitson, also of Satellite Beach, won his heat (19.84).

The U.S. team’s other top surfer, Taylor Knox, did not compete Wednesday but will be surfing at 8 a.m. today as the second round concludes. The third and fourth rounds will follow.