Flat Spell Continues for Billabong Pipe Masters, Probable Start Tomorrow
PIPELINE, Oahu/Hawaii (Tuesday, December 14, 2010) – The Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons, the final stop on the Vans Triple Crown (an ASP Specialty Series), is off for the sixth consecutive day with only small one-to-two foot (.5 metre) surf showing at Pipeline.
“As predicted, the surf is still small this morning so we’ve been forced to call competition off once again,” Richie Porta, ASP International Head Judge said. “The good news is that we’re expecting a new swell to start filling in tomorrow, so we should be back up and running soon.”
The Billabong Pipe Masters began competition on the opening day of the waiting period and saw reigning two-time Vans Triple Crown champion Joel Parkinson (AUS), 29, inch one step closer to his third Hawaiian series title by clinching a Round 2 heat victory.
Parkinson will do battle with dangerous ASP World Tour rookie Owen Wright (AUS), 20, in Heat 2 of Round 3.
The 2010 Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons is not expecting classic Pipeline conditions this year, but the world’s best surfers will ignite the dangerous reef in high-performance conditions when competition resumes.
With the majority of the 2011 ASP Dream Tour roster having been decided on the opening day of competition, Maui’s Dusty Payne (HAW), 21, can still retain his position on the elite ranks for next year, but needs to defeat two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 29, in their Round 3 bout to do so.
In addition to the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons, the world’s best female surfers will also tackle Pipeline for the first time in Vans Triple Crown history in a one-heat battle, the Vans Duel for the Jewel, which will decide this year’s ASP Specialty Series Champion. Tyler Wright (AUS), 16, will face off against Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 22, and Hawaiians Coco Ho (HAW), 19, and Alana Blanchard (HAW), 20, when competition resumes.
Surfline, official forecasters for the Billabong Pipe Masters, are predicting for a small but contestable swell to begin building on Wednesday before peaking on Thursday, which should allow for a high-performance finish to the event.
The Billabong Pipe Masters holds a waiting period from December 8 through 20th and is webcast LIVE via http://triplecrownofsurfing.com/billabongpipemasters/
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 2: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
Heat 3: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 5: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. John John Florence (HAW)
Heat 7: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 8: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 9: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. David Wassell (HAW)
Heat 10: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Taylor Knox (USA)
Heat 12: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)
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