It was a battle in the rain as Kelly Slater and Chris Ward sat and surfed in some large and funky Pipeline. But Kelly Slater, riding his 5’11” Al Merrick, did what he always seems to do: he surfed with knowledge, skill, and fluidity and will go home with that Gerry Lopez trophy board and his 6th Pipeline Masters title.
“There was no doubt in my mind, this guy is unbelievable. Wardo is one of the best barrel riders in the world,” Kelly said. “He got me out here last year. If he would have let me win last year, maybe he could have gotten this one today.”
Wardo came close, but because of Slater’s win Joel Parkinson takes his first Triple Crown Title. No offense to Wardo, but Parkinson was over ended up runner. “Andy has taken it away from me twice and today I was thinking this just can’t happen again,” Parkinson said.
[Link: Billabong Pipeline Masters]
