Pipeline was not pumping Thursday, but Brazil’s Gabriel Medina was a technicolor splash on a drab canvas anyway.
Five morning heats went by in the Billabong Pipe Masters before Medina hit the water to put on a show of power, confidence and aerial fireworks despite the spotty 4- to 6-foot waves and windy conditions. It served notice that the world title he is closing in on may be out of reach for the only other two contenders in the chase.
Generally surfers are awaiting the cavernous barrels on offer. It’s what makes Pipeline special. Medina, however, launched himself often in winning his heat, with the most impressive a full-rotation alley-oop. He also got a lengthy barrel ride.
“I’m really happy to make it through,” he said. “Today the waves are really challenging. I’m really focused. I need to make the final, so I’ll stay focused and try and do my best every single heat.”
With the heat victory, Medina, the World Surf League’s top-ranked surfer, skipped through to the third round. Australia’s Julian Wilson, who is ranked No. 2 and also has a shot at the world title, did the same. The other contender for the biggest of year-end prizes, No. 3 Filipe Toledo of Brazil, finished second in his heat and heads to the second round.
If Medina finishes first or second at the Pipe Masters, he’ll clinch the world crown. The other two can sneak in with an event win (if Medina finishes third) or a high finish (if Medina finishes fifth or lower).
“I’m mostly focusing on just trying to find some opportunities out there,” Wilson said. “I’m definitely closer this year, but still needing a really big result to get it.”
Brazil’s Italo Ferreira had the biggest highlight of the morning heats, landing a massive forehand rotation.
In one of the last heats of the day, Conner Coffin of Santa Barbara, Calif., found a deep barrel for the best wave score of the day, an 8.47. He also had the best two-wave total of 15.07, barely edging France’s Jeremy Flores, who scored a 14.00.
