The Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons ran for the second consecutive day in firing 10-foot (3-4 metre) Pipeline on Hawaii's North Shore, with local talent John John Florence posting the event’s highest scores as he and fellow Vans Triple Crown contender Michel Bourez get ready for the tournament's quarter finals.
The final stop on the 2011 ASP World Title Series, the Billabong Pipe Masters also marks the final jewel of the prestigious Vans Triple Crown and John John Florence, (HAW), 19, current leader on the Triple Crown ratings, further asserted his dominance among the field today, securing both the event’s highest heat-total of a near perfect 19.10, out of 20, in Round 3 and eventually went on to seal his second 10-point ride in Round 4.
The young Hawaiian’s flawless score was earned by a deep no-grab backside barrel, which saw the natural-footer relegate ASP World Champions Kelly Slater (USA), 39, and C.J. Hobgood (USA), 32, to Round 5 while advancing directly to the quarter finals.
'John John's on fire right now... it's going to be an exciting finish for sure' – Michel Bourez
“I was so nervous going in to that heat because C.J. (Hobgood) and Kelly (Slater) are so gnarly,” Florence said. “I’ve looked up to those guys and it’s fun surfing against them. I think it’s the second time I’ve surfed against Kelly and it’s the first time I’ve beaten him. This is definitely a dream surfing my home break with three guys out and beating Kelly, I’m so stoked.”
Michel Bourez (PYF), 25, the current number 3 on the Vans Triple Crown ratings, kept his hopes of winning the prestigious Hawaiian title alive when he scalped two heat victories in the firing Pipeline conditions to earn his spot in the quarter finals.
In the morning's Round 3, Bourez defeated Vans Triple Crown race runner Adam Melling (AUS) to advance into Round 4 where he defeated Evan Valiere (HAW) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) and advanced into the quarter finals where he will face Evan Valiere (HAW) again.
“Winning a Triple Crown would mean the world to me,” Bourez said. “After the World Title, everyone wants to win the Triple Crown. It’s really hard though, because John John (Florence) is leading and he’s on fire right now. It’s going to be an exciting finish for sure.”
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 Quarter final 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)
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