- 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: John John Florence Claims Second World Title and Jeremy Flores Takes Second Billabong Pipe Masters Victory at Banzai Pipeline
Billabong Pipe Masters witnessed John John Florence (HAW) claimed back-to-back WSL World Title at Banzai Pipeline on December 19, 2017.
When Jeep Leaderboard 2nd place Gabriel Medina (BRA) was defeated by Jeremy Flores (FRA) in Quarterfinal, and John John Florence advanced to the final, he clinched World Surf League World Title.
Finally in 2017, he won Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, took the 2nd place in Billabong Pipe Masters and took the 3rd place in Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Hurley Pro at Trestles, Quiksilver Pro France.
2017 World Champion John John Florence said;
“It’s been my dream to win here at home. There’s been a nervous build up to this event and I just don’t know what to say, I’m shaking. So many people have been here for me this year and it’s been awesome. It’s been an awesome year and I’m just so stoked.
I think I learned a lot about myself this year competing with all the pressure, especially coming from last year’s win. It’s been a hard year and I’ve had some ups and some downs, but mostly I had a lot of fun. I think that's what came out of last year and I really, really wanted to enjoy every moment of it.
It’s been scary being that close in points to someone like Gabriel (Medina) who’s such a great surfer out here and a fierce competitor. His comeback in Europe was amazing, he won two events in a row and then was right there in the title race. Surfing with him out here has been nerve racking but it would have been cool if we had a final for the title.
I couldn't have done it without my guys traveling with me and I have to thank my mom for all this because she took me and my brothers traveling when we were young and really just got us to love the ocean and I think that's what we’re all in this for - the love of surfing - so thank you, mom, I wouldn't be here without you.”
In the Final, Jeremy Flores took down John John Florence and took his second Billabong Pipe Masters victory. He defeated Gabriel Medina in Quarterfinal, and Kanoa Igarashi (USA) in Semifinal.
Billabong Pipe Masters Winner Jeremy Flores said;
"Winning the Pipe Masters against John John Florence like that in perfect Backdoor in the last seconds, that’s the best way to win. I couldn't think of any better way to win this Pipe Master. I'm so, so stoked and there’s a lot of emotions. Congrats to everyone. Congrats to John John (Florence) and Gabriel (Medina), these guys are next level. My goal was to win this event but this is crazy, I'm so happy.
To be honest, I don't like to be that guy that’s deciding titles - it should be a showdown between John and Gabriel, these guys work so hard. That's why honestly when I beat Gabriel I felt bad. It’s been an emotional day and yesterday was stressful. I had to make one heat to re qualify pretty much and I made it with a 4 and a 2. I just wanted to have fun today and I did and the waves showed up. Through all the ups and downs I have so much good support and this is for everyone so thank you. I won this title for France and it doesn't happen very much!”
Billabong Pipe Masters Final Results:
F1 : Jeremy Flores (FRA) 16.23 def. John John Florence (HAW) 16.16
Billabong Pipe Masters Semifinal Results:
SF 1: John John Florence (HAW) 12.56 def. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 12.33
SF 2: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 12.20 def. Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 11.33
Billabong Pipe Masters Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Ian Gouveia (BRA) 9.70 vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 8.40
QF 2: John John Florence (HAW) 17.60 vs. Julian Wilson (AUS) 2.64
QF 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 12.76 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 6.04
QF 4: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 9.57 def. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 8.67
Billabong Pipe Masters Round 5 Results:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.23 def. Conner Coffin (USA) 9.43
Heat 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 12.50 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 7.90
Heat 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.97 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 9.16
Heat 4: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 6.34 def. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 0.90
Billabong Pipe Masters Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Ian Gouveia (BRA) 11.73, Conner Coffin (USA) 1.23, Julian Wilson (AUS) 0.43
Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) 13.17, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 12.87, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 4.53
Heat 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.37, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 12.10, Italo Ferreira (BRA) 7.57
Heat 4: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 12.44, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 4.60, Kelly Slater (USA) 4.44
All photos copyright by World Surf League.- source : World Surf League
