- 2018-12-15
-
SPORTS
World Surf League: Billabong Pipe Masters Kicks Off at Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii
The 11th stop on Men's Championship Tour, Billabong Pipe Masters kicked off at Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii on December 14, 2018.
The final event of CT will decide the World Champion of the 2018. The World Title scenarios:
If Gabriel Medina (BRA) makes the final at Pipeline, he wins the World Title.
If Gabriel Medina places 3rd at Pipeline, Julian Wilson (ASU) and Filipe Toledo (BRA) will need a 1st to win the World Title.
If Gabriel Medina finishes 5th or worse at Pipeline, Julian Wilson and Filipe Toledo will need to make the final to win the World Title.
Also Kelly Slater (USA) came back to the competition and participated in Pipe Masters since Surf Ranch Pro.
In addition, Joel Parkinson (AUS) will retire from Championship Tour after Billabong Pipe Masters.
Round 1 ran in blustery conditions in the 6-8 feet waves. Julian Wilson and Gabriel Medina advanced to Round 3, but Filipe Toledo was 2nd in Heat 4. Toledo has to compete again in elimination Round 2.- 8u2LQnnxaU8
- 8u2LQnnxaU8
- 8u2LQnnxaU8
- 8u2LQnnxaU8
- 8u2LQnnxaU8
Gabriel Medina said:
"That was a tough heat because the waves are kind of messy and it's really windy out there, but I'm happy to make it through. I got a couple fun waves even though it was hard. I'm feeling good. I want to make the Final, I know I need to do that, so I'll keep focusing on my mission and hopefully I can reach it. The good thing is I'm feeling good."
Julian Wilson said:
"I think when the waves are good and you have a good heat it feels good, but I think those ones you have to grind through mean a lot. To dig deep and get a win, it feels good. I'm a massive surf fan, so I'll watch the best surfers as much as I can. I'll definitely see how Medina approaches his heat. It's tricky out there, but I think going frontside into the wind will give him more opportunity."
Billabong Pipe Masters Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.00, Kelly Slater (USA) 11.43, Frederico Morais (PRT) 4.47
Heat 2: Yago Dora (BRA) 9.83, Owen Wright (AUS) 9.60, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 2.00
Heat 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.30, Joan Duru (FRA) 11.67, Keanu Asing (HAW) 5.66
Heat 4: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 6.03, Filipe Toledo (BRA) 5.04, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 4.93
Heat 5: Julian Wilson (AUS) 8.07, Tomas Hermes (BRA) 6.40, Seth Moniz (HAW) 4.57
Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.16, Benji Brand (HAW) 9.97, Connor O’Leary (AUS) 9.67
Heat 7: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 7.07, Ryan Callinan (AUS) 6.77, Wade Carmichael (AUS) 4.50
Heat 8: Michael February (ZAF) 6.30, Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 6.10, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 4.03
Heat 9: Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.03, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 12.00, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 10.90
Heat 10: Conner Coffin (USA) 15.07, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.00, Jesse Mendes (BRA) 9.20
Heat 11: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 11.23, Kolohe Andino (USA) 8.10, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 5.13
Heat 12: Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 11.44, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 7.60, Willian Cardoso (BRA) 5.04- source : World Surf League