Gumleaf
November 2nd, 2010, 08:48 PM
10:00 AEST Wed Nov 3 2010
By ninemsn staff
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8117639/world-champion-surfer-andy-irons-has-died
Three-time world surfing champion Andy Irons has died from an illness, thought to be dengue fever.
His family has released a statement through the Association of Surfing professionals confirming his death.
"The world of surfing mourns an incredibly sad loss today with the news that Hawaii's Andy Irons has died," the statement read.
"Andy was a beloved husband, and a true champion."
Andy's wife Lyndie is due to give birth to their first child this month.
Surf websites report that the 32-year-old American was on his way home to Kauai, Hawaii following a bout of illness which forced him to withdraw from the Rip Curl Search event in Puerto Rico.
Irons is one of five people on the pro surf tour to suffer from a debilitating illness in the past three weeks.
South African Travis Logie, Kelly Slater's girlfriend Kalani Miller, and Australians Chris Davidson and Owen Wilson have reportedly been suffering from exhaustion, extreme temperature and headaches, reported the The Australian.
"From the symptoms I heard he had, there's a massive possibility that Andy had a similar thing [to us]," said Wilson.
Irons left Puerto Rico and flew via Miami where he was on an IV drip but after two days insisted on going home to see his regular doctor, Surfing Life reports.
His flight to Hawaii required a stopover from Dallas, Texas, where he missed a connecting flight and ended up staying overnight in a hotel.
The following morning he was found dead in his room by hotel staff, reports say.
Irons grew up on the dangerous shallow reefs of the North Shore in Kauai, Hawaii.
He won world titles in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and clinched 19 world tour victories.
He is the only surfer to win at every location on the world tour and was said to be Kelly Slater's biggest rival.
His family has asked for privacy so that their focus "can remain on one another."
By ninemsn staff
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8117639/world-champion-surfer-andy-irons-has-died
Three-time world surfing champion Andy Irons has died from an illness, thought to be dengue fever.
His family has released a statement through the Association of Surfing professionals confirming his death.
"The world of surfing mourns an incredibly sad loss today with the news that Hawaii's Andy Irons has died," the statement read.
"Andy was a beloved husband, and a true champion."
Andy's wife Lyndie is due to give birth to their first child this month.
Surf websites report that the 32-year-old American was on his way home to Kauai, Hawaii following a bout of illness which forced him to withdraw from the Rip Curl Search event in Puerto Rico.
Irons is one of five people on the pro surf tour to suffer from a debilitating illness in the past three weeks.
South African Travis Logie, Kelly Slater's girlfriend Kalani Miller, and Australians Chris Davidson and Owen Wilson have reportedly been suffering from exhaustion, extreme temperature and headaches, reported the The Australian.
"From the symptoms I heard he had, there's a massive possibility that Andy had a similar thing [to us]," said Wilson.
Irons left Puerto Rico and flew via Miami where he was on an IV drip but after two days insisted on going home to see his regular doctor, Surfing Life reports.
His flight to Hawaii required a stopover from Dallas, Texas, where he missed a connecting flight and ended up staying overnight in a hotel.
The following morning he was found dead in his room by hotel staff, reports say.
Irons grew up on the dangerous shallow reefs of the North Shore in Kauai, Hawaii.
He won world titles in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and clinched 19 world tour victories.
He is the only surfer to win at every location on the world tour and was said to be Kelly Slater's biggest rival.
His family has asked for privacy so that their focus "can remain on one another."