ASL-oha! Pipe: The Sequel

The Arvo Wrap

Words: Mark Rosenberg

Photos: Andrew Shiled

Video: Sam Norwood

When ASL returned to the beach after posting this morning’s blog Kelly Slater was being swamped by fans on the beach. His opponent Marcus Hickman, one of Pipe’s finest, had said in the Hawaii’s Honolulu Star Advertiser newspaper “ I’m ready for Slater, bring it on”, but Kelly’s experience and skill saw him take the win over the local favourite. KS then went on to meet John John Florence and CJ Hobgood in round four. Florence ended up running rings around his competitors, snagging his second ten of the event. “I think it damaged Kelly’s ego, said Shane Dorian, “but John John’s the man out here these days. Kelly’s got eleven titles, I’m sure he’ll be fine.” He was fine, managing to sneak through his round five heat which means he’ll meet Florence again in the quarters.

 Somewhere over the rainbow...

There's beauty, or terror. Depending on who you ask.

 John John cruising through to the quarters.

Florence, who yesterday admitted to feeling pressure to do well in front of friends and family at Pipe, looked at ease today. Before and after heats he was happy to sign autographs and pose for photos with fans. The whole island of Oahu is behind the multi skilled rookie and he’s still favoured to take out the event and claim his first Triple Crown.

Heat three and four of round four were both critical, but for different reasons – Triple Crown glory and re qualification. After John John advanced directly to the quarters Michel Bourez needed to do the same to stay in the running for the Triple Crown. It was a big task given he was up against Pipe local Evan Valiere, who’d already taken three WT scalps, but Michel applied his Chopes experience to take the win. There were beatings aplenty during the heat but on the sand Michel wasn’t even out of breath, chatting calmly with ASL about his impending fatherhood and how much fun he had out there.

In the final heat of round four Kieren Perrow needed to advance to re-qualify for 2012. He’d sustained several injuries throughout the day but KP has a history of thriving in high-pressure situations. Shane Dorian and Taj Burrow are not guys he would have wanted to draw in big waves so the pressure was on. In a move of great sportsmanship Dorian gave Kieren a crucial wave. KP took the drop, got oh so pitted and re-emerged visibly ecstatic. “I’ve got nothing to lose,” said Dorian. He’s out there trying to keep his career alive and I’m just having fun.” The underdog lives to fight another day and while ASL’s money is on John John it would be amazing to see KP go one better after losing the final to Jeremy Flores last year.

In round five those who lost in round four got their chance at redemption. Along with Kelly, Joel Parkinson and Evan Valiere progressed through and Gabriel Medina silenced his critics by beating Dorian.

Although the forecast isn’t as good as the past two days the action will almost definitely resume tomorrow. There’s a superb mix of locals, rookies and past champs still in the mix and a spectacular finale ensured for 2011.

Parko is flying under the radar at this event, but still looking as lethal as ever.

Julian Wilson didn't advance today, but his air drop ability had everyone talking.

Billabong Pipe Masters Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 7.34 def. Aamion Goodwin (HAW) 5.03
Heat 2: Kalani Chapman (HAW) 10.27 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 6.83
Heat 3: Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 6.46 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 4.10
Heat 4: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 8.40 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 6.83
Heat 5: John John Florence (HAW) 19.10 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 14.40
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) 9.50 def. Marcus Hickman (HAW) 3.56
Heat 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 12.77 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 2.27
Heat 8: Michel Bourez (PYF) 6.40 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 5.90
Heat 9: Evan Valiere (HAW) 16.14 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 15.67
Heat 10: Shane Dorian (HAW) 11.24 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 5.66
Heat 11: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 18.73 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 11.60
Heat 12: Taj Burrow (AUS) 8.93 def. Ian Walsh (HAW) 5.36

Billabong Pipe Masters Non-Elimination Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 13.92, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.06, Kalani Chapman (HAW) 12.00
Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) 17.67, Kelly Slater (USA) 8.50, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 5.43
Heat 3: Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.10, Evan Valiere (HAW) 10.84, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 8.17
Heat 4: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.66, Shane Dorian (HAW) 11.87, Taj Burrow (AUS) 7.83

Billabong Pipe Masters Round 5 Results:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.83 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 7.74
Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.80 def. Kalani Chapman (HAW) 14.33
Heat 3: Evan Valiere (HAW) 16.03 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 10.87
Heat 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 9.23 def. Shane Dorian (HAW) 2.30

Upcoming Billabong Pipe Masters Quarterfinals Heats:
Heat 1: Jamie O’Brien (HAW) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 3: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Evan Valiere (HAW)
Heat 4: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Gabriel Medina (BRA)

THE MORNING REPORT

Words: Mark Rosenberg

 This morning Pipe’s a similar size to yesterday but the terrifying wash through sets are less frequent. Now that we’re into round three the top twelve surfers from the WT will be hitting the water and the the crowds are out in force.

Joel Parkinson snuck past Hawaiian Aamion Goodwin in the first heat of the day before Kalani Chapman knocked Dusty Payne. Following that Jamie O’Brien predictably made short of work Adriano de Souza and as ASL type this blog from the sand John John is putting on a clinic.

Check back this afternoon for more photos, words and a video of the day’s highlights.

It's a work day in Hawaii, but crowds are flocking to the beach.

 Putting the Pi in the Volcom Pipe House.

Pipe continues to do what it's famous for.

And for all the ASLoha action presented by Oakley go to the Hawaii 2011 page.