{"id":26929,"date":"2011-12-09T08:15:54","date_gmt":"2011-12-09T16:15:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/?p=26929"},"modified":"2011-12-09T08:24:44","modified_gmt":"2011-12-09T16:24:44","slug":"pipeline-roars-to-life-for-billabong-pro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/?p=26929","title":{"rendered":"Pipeline Roars To Life For Billabong Pro"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/florence_jj9744pipe11cestari_m1.jpg\" onclick=\"window.open('http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/florence_jj9744pipe11cestari_m1.jpg','popup','width=630,height=420,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=yes,left=0,top=0');return false\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/florence_jj9744pipe11cestari_m1-tm.jpg\" height=\"286\" width=\"430\" border=\"1\" hspace=\"4\" vspace=\"4\" alt=\"Florence Jj9744Pipe11Cestari M1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Day one (Thursday, December 8, 20111) of the <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com\/billabongpipemasters2011\/\" target=\"_blank\">Billabong Pipeline Masters In Memory of Andy Irons<\/a><\/strong> was a reminiscent of the good old days of Pipeline contests when the waves were bombing, the surfers charging, and  everyone was happy just to have survived their heat. As Kai Barger said following is first heat, &#8220;I was scared to death out there.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>While we enjoyed watching <strong>Kolohe Andino<\/strong> learn to survive on the fly in 13-foot Pipeline barrels the highlight of the day had to be <strong>John John Florence&#8217;s<\/strong> perfect 10 score in round two.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cI got that barrel right off of the takeoff and it pinched and I couldn\u2019t see anything,\u201d Florence said. \u201cIt was really sketchy and then I pulled in to that other barrel. It was fun. The waves were firing. It\u2019s the best Pipe has been in so long. There are so many waves that people don\u2019t really see. There are ones going underneath and wide ones, they\u2019re just everywhere.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The rest of the heats were mostly studies in how low surfers could score and yet still advance. The winner in the lowest scoring heat was <strong>Aamion Goodwin<\/strong>. In his Round 1 heat against <strong>Taylor Knox<\/strong> Goodwin advanced with a 2.20 to Knox&#8217;s 2.13. Round 2 <strong>Travis Logie<\/strong> advanced over <strong>Bruce Irons<\/strong> 3.57 to 2.70. More than anything the low scores showed just how mad it was in the Pipeline lineup.<\/p>\n<p>Round 3 starts today with all the ASP hitters back in the mix. Joel Parkinson and Aamion Goodwin will kick off the day at 8 AM HST (10 AM PST). Kelly Slater gets in the water against Marcus Hickman in Heat 6. Follow the jump for the official word from the ASP plus video.<!--more--><script src=\"http:\/\/player.ooyala.com\/player.js?height=269&#038;embedCode=Z2cjk0MzrY0GadGxt0grBmr4qkAf1gKA&#038;video_pcode=tla2U6sQuZL84AFsrTpKS94AKTX7&#038;width=450&#038;deepLinkEmbedCode=Z2cjk0MzrY0GadGxt0grBmr4qkAf1gKA\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>BANZAI PIPELINE, Oahu\/Hawaii (Thursday, December 8, 2011) \u2013 The opening day of the Billabong Pipe Masters witnessed historic 10-to-15 foot (4-5 metro) surf at the iconic Hawaiian barrel of the Banzai Pipeline to complete Rounds 1 and 2 of competition in arguably the biggest surf in the event\u2019s history.<\/p>\n<p>The Billabong Pipe Masters, the final stop on the 2011 ASP World Title Series, not only represents a crucial event for ASP Top 34 surfers looking to requalify for the 2012 season, but also marks the third jewel of the prestigious Vans Triple Crown.<\/p>\n<p>John John Florence (HAW), 19, navigated the massive Pipeline lineup with ease to eliminate Maui native Kai Barger (HAW), 22, in a commanding Round 2 performance while securing the first perfect 10-point ride of Billabong Pipe Masters competition.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI got that barrel right off of the takeoff and it pinched and I couldn\u2019t see anything,\u201d Florence said. \u201cIt was really sketchy and then I pulled in to that other barrel. It was fun. The waves were firing. It\u2019s the best Pipe has been in so long. There are so many waves that people don\u2019t really see. There are ones going underneath and wide ones, they\u2019re just everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Florence, current leader on the Vans Triple Crown ratings, furthered his lead over the field by advancing out of Round 2 and was admittedly relieved to get off to a strong start at the Billabong Pipe Masters. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is definitely a lot of pressure to do well with all of my friends and family here,\u201d Florence said. \u201cI want to do well. I was pretty nervous before that first heat and I\u2019m glad I got it out of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Evan Valiere (HAW), 28, who is competing in the Billabong Pipe Masters as a Hawaiian Wildcard, drove through several Pipe barrels on his forehand to deliver the day\u2019s highest heat-total, a remarkable 18.16, out of 20, in his opening heat and eventually went on to solidify a Round 2 victory as well.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere were only a couple of waves ridden, but the ones I got felt good for sure,\u201d Valiere said. \u201cIt\u2019s just so big. There are a lot of waves coming in on the inside, but it\u2019s not like you\u2019re going on those. When you\u2019re out there, it takes a lot longer to get the ones you want. That 9.33 just felt really good. The takeoff always takes longer than you think and once you get to the bottom, you just set your line. Pipeline is the best feeling in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Valiere was another native to contribute to the Hawaiian giant-killing spree of the opening rounds, eliminating ASP Top 34 members Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), 30, and Brazilian rookie Miguel Pupo (BRA), 19, to secure his position in Round 3.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s unfortunate, I really think Fred\u2019s an incredible surfer,\u201d Valiere said after his Round 1 win. \u201cI definitely did not want him in my heat out here this morning because I knew he was going to be a major threat. I was just fortunate to get my waves. If Freddy wants to get back on tour he\u2019ll get back and do it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ian Walsh (HAW), 28, was impressive in his 2011 Billabong Pipe Masters debut, eliminating ASP World Tour surfers Kai Otton (AUS), 31, and Bede Durbidge (AUS), 28, while threading the needle on a massive barrel of his own for one of the day\u2019s highest scores, 9.70 out of 10, to advance through to Round 3.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI got pounded and that wave came and it had such a steep tee pee wave on the point that when I took off I was really late,\u201d Walsh said. \u201cI had a similar feeling to the wave I didn\u2019t make before and I got pounded. I let go of my rail and it sucked back before it spit and I almost didn\u2019t make it. When I came out I just had that ecstatic feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Walsh, who is renowned for his big-wave capabilities, was elated to have big Pipeline conditions on offer for this year\u2019s event. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou forget you\u2019re even in a heat, you\u2019re just psyched that you\u2019re getting barreled,\u201d Walsh said. \u201cThis is the real Pipe Masters. It\u2019s so fun to watch and it\u2019s entertaining for us to surf.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Adam Melling (AUS), 26, current No. 2 on the Vans Triple Crown ratings, was one international competitor to escape the wrath of the event locals by defeating Mason Ho (HAW), 23, in Round 2 of competition.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s pretty exciting to be in second and have John John just in front of me,\u201d Melling said. \u201cSeeing the way he surfed out there today I\u2019d say it\u2019s not going to be easy to beat him. I\u2019m just excited to be out there and making heats.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kieren Perrow (AUS), 34, current No. 25 on the ASP World Ranking and runner-up in last year\u2019s Billabong Pipe Masters, is in need of a result at Pipeline to requalify for the 2012 ASP World Tour and is hungry to finish on the podium again this year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was really nervous before that heat because I need to do well here to stay on tour,\u201d Perrow said. \u201cAs the comp goes on it\u2019s going to get harder for sure and the guys out there at the moment are pushing the level. I\u2019m just going to go out there and try and get my waves and see if that puts me in first. Hopefully I can go one better than last year.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7am local time for a possible Round 3 start at 8am.<\/p>\n<p>For all of the LIVE Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons action log on to www.vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com\/billabongpipemasters2011<\/p>\n<p>For additional information log on to www.aspworldtour.com<\/p>\n<p>Billabong Pipe Masters Round 2 Results:<br \/>\nHeat 1: Marcus Hickman (HAW) 16.50 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 9.30<br \/>\nHeat 2: Evan Valiere (HAW) 16.50 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 3.70<br \/>\nHeat 3: Ian Walsh (HAW) 16.06 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 10.17<br \/>\nHeat 4: John John Florence (HAW) 18.07 def. Kai Barger (HAW) 14.67<br \/>\nHeat 5: Aamion Goodwin (HAW) 2.20 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 2.13<br \/>\nHeat 6: Jamie O\u2019Brien (HAW) 5.33 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 2.83<br \/>\nHeat 7: Shane Dorian (HAW) 10.50 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 1.90<br \/>\nHeat 8: Adam Melling (AUS) 9.64 def. Mason Ho (HAW) 8.84<br \/>\nHeat 9: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 14.50 def. Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 5.90<br \/>\nHeat 10: Dusty Payne (HAW) 9.20 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 6.57<br \/>\nHeat 11: Travis Logie (ZAF) 5.80 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 5.67<br \/>\nHeat 12: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 9.70 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.27<\/p>\n<p>Billabong Pipe Masters Round 1 Results:<br \/>\nHeat 1: Marcus Hickman (HAW) 13.67 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 9.46<br \/>\nHeat 2: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 6.50 def. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 0.60<br \/>\nHeat 3: Evan Valiere (HAW) 18.16 def. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 6.00<br \/>\nHeat 4: Travis Logie (ZAF) 3.57 def. Bruce Irons (HAW) 2.70<br \/>\nHeat 5: Ian Walsh (HAW) 13.00 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 11.63<br \/>\nHeat 6: Kai Barger (HAW) 9.93 def. Chris Davidson (AUS) 6.33<br \/>\nHeat 7: Aamion Goodwin (HAW) 10.34 def. Daniel Ross (AUS) 2.84<br \/>\nHeat 8: Jamie O\u2019Brien (HAW) 14.77 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 3.24<br \/>\nHeat 9: Kolohe Andino (USA) 5.27 def. Laurie Towner (AUS) 1.17<br \/>\nHeat 10: Shane Dorian (HAW) 6.40 def. Willian Cardoso (BRA) 1.94<br \/>\nHeat 11: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 4.76 def. Jack Freestone (AUS) 2.63<br \/>\nHeat 12: Mason Ho (HAW) 9.00 def. Hank Gaskell (AUS) 3.93<\/p>\n<p>Upcoming Billabong Pipe Masters Round 3 Match-Ups:<br \/>\nHeat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Aamion Goodwin (HAW)<br \/>\nHeat 2: Kalani Chapman (HAW) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)<br \/>\nHeat 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Jamie O\u2019Brien (HAW)<br \/>\nHeat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. C.J. Hobgood (USA)<br \/>\nHeat 5: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. John John Florence (HAW)<br \/>\nHeat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Marcus Hickman (HAW)<br \/>\nHeat 7: Gabriel Medina (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)<br \/>\nHeat 8: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)<br \/>\nHeat 9: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Evan Valiere (HAW)<br \/>\nHeat 10: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Shane Dorian (HAW)<br \/>\nHeat 11: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)<br \/>\nHeat 12: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Ian Walsh (HAW)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Day one (Thursday, December 8, 20111) of the Billabong Pipeline Masters In Memory of Andy Irons was a reminiscent of the good old days of Pipeline contests when the waves were bombing, the surfers charging, and everyone was happy just to have survived their heat. As Kai Barger said following is first heat, &#8220;I was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,28],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26929"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=26929"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26929\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26931,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26929\/revisions\/26931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=26929"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=26929"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.boardistan.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=26929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}