South African surfer 'Twiggy' Baker wins Mavericks Invitational

HALF MOON BAY, Calif., Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Grant Baker of South Africa won the Mavericks Invitational surfing contest Friday at the famed big-wave break near San Francisco.

Baker, known on the pro surfing circuit as "Twiggy," came out on top in a field of two-dozen elite surfers who tackled the swells that had been predicted as high as 40 feet.

Baker chalked up a final score of 29.33 points. Hawaii's Shane Dorian placed second with 25.53 points and Ryan Augenstein of nearby Santa Cruz finished third with 16.66 points.

Conditions at the start were described as bumpy but skies around Half Moon Bay were clear and winds fairly light.