This is it! The big show. The shootout to determine not only the master of Pipeline, but the world champ as well. And although it might only be a two horse race for the ASP crown, you can be quite certain that they won’t be the only ones giving it 120%.
That’s because EVERYONE wants to be a Pipe Master!
With regards to the world title race, only 11-time world champ Kelly Slater has a chance of stopping Mick Fanning from grabbing his third world title. Kelly has to win. He has no choice other than that, whereas Mick only needs to make the semi-finals. Get that far and the title is his. The problem is, Kelly is a six-time Pipeline Master and has done it before. Mick is yet to win at Pipe.
Mick Fanning will be looking to tame some Pipe froth monsters in his quest for a third world title.
Looking to throw a spanner in the works of both of their plans will be the other 46 competitors entered into the Billabong Pipeline Masters. Some, like our man Travis Logie, will be fighting for their spot on next year’s tour, while others, like Michel Bourez and young Hawaiian Ezekial Lau, will be duking it out for the Vans Triple Crown – one of the most sought after titles other than claiming the world title.
Travis will be fighting for a spot on next year’s Dream Tour. He is at his best when the stakes are high.
John John won’t even have to try, apparently, he makes surfing treacherous Pipe look effortless. Check him out at 1:32 in this clip shot last week at the Banzai Pipeline. While you’re at it, check out Gabriel Medina at 0:41, Nat Young at 1:13, and CJ Hobgood at 1:21 for a look at their form heading into the event. If the Masters gets blessed with swell like this, then you are not going to want to miss a heat.
One surfer totally bummed not to be surfing in the event is former Pipe Master, Jamie O’Brien. He has been banned after a punch-up with Brazilian Ricardo dos Santos at Teahupo’o in August. Ricardo, on the other hand, will be surfing in heat eleven of Round 1 – which might be the time Jamie chooses to go for a drinks break while watching the event from his front lawn.
Sadly for the Saffa fans, Jordy Smith has withdrawn from the Pipe Masters – citing a busted toe received in Portugal in October as the reason he is unable to surf. Remembering some of his rides from the Volcom Fiji Pro, we were looking forward to seeing him grab a rail and thread some meaty left pits.
Some late night viewing is in order this December. Watch the live webcast and catch all the action.
The waiting period kicks-off Sunday, 8 December and runs until the 20th. The forecast is looking promising for the opening day, with double to triple overhead sets expected. A call will be made at around 8:00am local time (8:00pm SA time) on Sunday.
You can tune in on www.vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com/billabongpipemasters2013 and watch the big show unfold LIVE.
Here are the heat draws:
BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Heat 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Joel Centeio (HAW)
Heat 3: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Marcus Hickman (HAW)
Heat 4: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Kaimana Jaquias (HAW)
Heat 5: Yadin Nicol (AUS) vs. Kahea Hart (HAW)
Heat 6: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) vs. Bruce Irons (HAW)
Heat 7: Dusty Payne (HAW) vs. Reef McIntosh (HAW)
Heat 8: Jadson Andre (BRA) vs. Olamana Eleogram (HAW)
Heat 9: Mitch Crews (AUS) vs. Shane Dorian (HAW)
Heat 10: Granger Larsen (HAW) vs. Kalani Chapman (HAW)
Heat 11: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) vs. Ricardo dos Santos (BRA)
Heat 12: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS)
BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. TBD
Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. TBD
Heat 3: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. TBD
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. TBD
Heat 5: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. TBD
Heat 6: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 7: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 8: Brett Simpson (USA) vs. TBD
Heat 9: Travis Logie (ZAF) vs. TBD
Heat 10: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. TBD
Heat 11: Adam Melling (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 12: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. TBD
BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 2: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. TBD
Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 4: Nat Young (USA) vs. TBD
Heat 5: John John Florence (HAW) vs. TBD
Heat 6: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 7: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. TBD
Heat 9: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. TBD
Heat 10: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. TBD
Heat 12: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. TBD
