- 2017-12-19
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SPORTS
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Donate to support families affected by the crisis in Ukraine ➔ World Surf League: Billabong Pipe Masters Round 2 and 3 at Banzai Pipeline
Billabong Pipe Masters ran Round 2 and 3 at Banzai Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii on December 17. But unfortunately, the conditions were small waves in four-to-five foot (1.2 - 1.8 metre).
On elimination Round 2, Jeep Leaderboard 2nd place Gabriel Medina (BRA) and 4th place Julian Wilson (AUS) advanced to Round 3.
Also, last year runner-up of the event Kanoa Igarashi (USA), 3-time World Cahmp Mick Fanning (AUS), 2012 World Cahmp Joel Parkinson (AUS) and 2015 World Cahmp Adriano de Souza (BRA) advanced to Round 3.
But Hurley Pro winner Filipe Toledo (BRA) was defeated by Ian Gouveia (BRA), he left the event early.
On Round 3, Jeep Leaderboard point leader John John Florence (HAW) won against Ethan Ewing (AUS) in Heat 6. The Heat was so close game, John John Florence led just 0.07 points to win. World Champ competitor Gabriel Medina was in the same situation, his Heat was close game. Gabriel Medina is still a candidate of 2017 Champ.
In Heat 12, Jordy Smith (ZAF) was defeated by 11-time World Champ Kelly Slater (USA). At the point, Jordy Smith completely lost an opportunity to take World Champ.
If John John Florence advances to the Final, he will be 2017 World Champion. If Gabriel Medina wins the event and John John Florence is 3rd below, he will take World Title of 2017.
Sad news, Australian legends Josh Kerr and Bede Durbidge announced to retire from WSL Championship this year. Pipe Masters became last event for both.
Happy news, Connor O'Leary (AUS) received 2017 Rookie of the Year Award. Congratulations, Connor.- Josh Kerr said;
"Definitely an emotional moment. My daughter comes on the beach crying and kissing me and all the boys there carrying me up. It's super bittersweet. I'd love to keep going, but the most I've learned right now is winning isn't everything. I feel like I'm winning with a great family, a good group of friends and family around me."
Connor O'Leary said;
"Today was kind of tricky because I kind of felt bad because people need to lose to get it and stuff, which sucks but it went my way and I'm stoked. I am stoked take home the Rookie of the Year title and have a few beers with some friends when I go home. It was such a massive learning experience for me. For me it's a massive confidence thing to know and to keep telling myself I'm good enough to match it with the best. I'll take that confidence into next year and see how I go."
Billabong Pipe Masters Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.33 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 8.50
Heat 2: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 11.54 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 10.77
Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) 8.56 def. Benji Brand (HAW) 6.87
Heat 4: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 5: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.93 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 8.33
Heat 6: Kolohe Andino (USA) 17.10 def. Jack Freestone (AUS) 14.96
Heat 7: Ian Gouveia (BRA) 13.40 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 11.30
Heat 8: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.17 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 10.00
Heat 9: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 6.10 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 5.13
Heat 10: Mick Fanning (AUS) 8.90 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 8.87
Heat 11: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 12.67 def. Frederico Morais (PRT) 6.00
Heat 12: Michel Bourez (PYF) 16.40 def. Joan Duru (FRA) 6.54
Billabong Pipe Masters Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.26 def. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 8.34
Heat 2: Conner Coffin (USA) 14.03 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.60
Heat 3: Ian Gouveia (BRA) 8.60 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 6.83
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 8.50 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 5.47
Heat 5: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 10.13 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 6.57
Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW) 10.87 def. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 10.80
Heat 7: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 6.60 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 2.26
Heat 8: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 10.00 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 9.83
Heat 0: Italo Ferreira (BRA)10.26 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 4.17
Heat 10: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.17 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 6.13
Heat 11: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 13.34 def Connor O'Leary (AUS) 9.73
Heat 12: Kelly Slater (USA) 11.87 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 7.87
All photos copyright by World Surf League.- source : World Surf League
