Watch the action-packed drama that unfolded in epic conditions. Up next: Three World Title contenders head into the Quarters.
Event Site
Round 1: Recap | Highlights
Round 2: Recap | Highlights
Heat Analyzer
Full Results
World Title Central
It was a pivotal day at the Billabong Pipe Masters In Memory of Andy Irons, the final stop of the Samsung Galaxy WSL Men's Championship Tour and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Here's what you need to know.
World Title
The World Title race narrowed by two in Round 3, leaving Gabriel Medina (BRA), Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Mick Fanning (AUS) in a sprint for the finish. Fanning's victory over Pipe specialist Jamie O'Brien (HAW) knocked Julian Wilson (AUS) out of contention -- Wilson was also eliminated from the Pipe Masters in a close heat with Adam Melling (AUS) in Round 3 --
while Filipe Toledo (BRA) had a shocker against wildcard Mason Ho (HAW). After trading tube rides, Ho's local knowledge saw him through, ending Toledo's incredible season that included three CT victories .
A deeper look at what gave Mason Ho the edge over Filipe Toledo, ultimately taking him out of the Pipe Masters and the Title race.
Standouts
Ho had a monster day at Pipe. Competing as an injury replacement for Owen Wright (AUS), Ho not only eliminated Toledo but scored a 10-point ride in Round 4 to advance into the event's Quarterfinals.
John John Florence (HAW) opened his run by delivering two near-perfect rides in his Round 3 heat. Both rides featured dramatic drops, grabbed rails, thick curtains and incredible exits. In typical John John fashion, the Hawaiian phenom stood tall, emerging on his backhand.
The local hero pulls deep into a perfect tube at Pipe to score a near-perfect 9.93 out of 10.00.
Super Heat
Round 4 supplied fans with a superheat for the ages, with conditions cleaning up just in time for Fanning, Florence and Kelly Slater to hit the water. A steady influx of tremendous sets made for some of the biggest barrels of the day as each competitor found scores in the excellent range (8.00 or above). Ultimately, the World No. 1 prevailed compliments of a 9.30 as he glided effortlessly through a double-overhead, perfect Pipe barrel.
Watch the epic battle between heavyweight chargers Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning and John John Florence in Round 4 of the Billabong Pipe Masters.
As a result, Florence and Slater were relegated to Round 5.
Slater survived his match against Keanu Asing (HAW), setting up a Quarterfinal rematch with Fanning. But Florence's luck ran out during his Round 5 battle with the a reflective C.J. Hobgood (USA), who's looking to retire on a high note after this contest. It's another tough loss for Florence, who's always considered a favorite at Pipeline, yet there remains an empty spot on his mantle that's waiting for a Billabong Pipe Masters In Memory of Andy Irons trophy.
Other Notes:
- Keanu Asing (HAW), who will be competing in Round 5, requalified for the 2016 Championship Tour after his advance out of Round 3 and the elimination of Michel Bourez (PYF) in the same round.
- Bede Durbidge (AUS) suffered an injury after being flipped head over heels and landing on the reef. Get Strider's update here.
- After his Round 3 loss to De Souza, Glenn Hall (IRL) announced his retirement. Watch his post-heat interview here.
Tune in for more Billabong Pipe Masters action starting at 7:30 a.m. local time Thursday, live on the WSL website and app.
And Then There Were Three: Stage Set for World Title Showdown
WSL
Event Site
Round 1: Recap | Highlights
Round 2: Recap | Highlights
Heat Analyzer
Full Results
World Title Central
It was a pivotal day at the Billabong Pipe Masters In Memory of Andy Irons, the final stop of the Samsung Galaxy WSL Men's Championship Tour and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Here's what you need to know.
World Title
The World Title race narrowed by two in Round 3, leaving Gabriel Medina (BRA), Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Mick Fanning (AUS) in a sprint for the finish. Fanning's victory over Pipe specialist Jamie O'Brien (HAW) knocked Julian Wilson (AUS) out of contention -- Wilson was also eliminated from the Pipe Masters in a close heat with Adam Melling (AUS) in Round 3 -- while Filipe Toledo (BRA) had a shocker against wildcard Mason Ho (HAW). After trading tube rides, Ho's local knowledge saw him through, ending Toledo's incredible season that included three CT victories .
Standouts
Ho had a monster day at Pipe. Competing as an injury replacement for Owen Wright (AUS), Ho not only eliminated Toledo but scored a 10-point ride in Round 4 to advance into the event's Quarterfinals.
John John Florence (HAW) opened his run by delivering two near-perfect rides in his Round 3 heat. Both rides featured dramatic drops, grabbed rails, thick curtains and incredible exits. In typical John John fashion, the Hawaiian phenom stood tall, emerging on his backhand.
Super Heat
Round 4 supplied fans with a superheat for the ages, with conditions cleaning up just in time for Fanning, Florence and Kelly Slater to hit the water. A steady influx of tremendous sets made for some of the biggest barrels of the day as each competitor found scores in the excellent range (8.00 or above). Ultimately, the World No. 1 prevailed compliments of a 9.30 as he glided effortlessly through a double-overhead, perfect Pipe barrel.
As a result, Florence and Slater were relegated to Round 5.
Slater survived his match against Keanu Asing (HAW), setting up a Quarterfinal rematch with Fanning. But Florence's luck ran out during his Round 5 battle with the a reflective C.J. Hobgood (USA), who's looking to retire on a high note after this contest. It's another tough loss for Florence, who's always considered a favorite at Pipeline, yet there remains an empty spot on his mantle that's waiting for a Billabong Pipe Masters In Memory of Andy Irons trophy.
Other Notes:
Tune in for more Billabong Pipe Masters action starting at 7:30 a.m. local time Thursday, live on the WSL website and app.
Mason Ho
Big Wave World Champ Billy Kemper scores perfect 10
From injury to victory at Haleiwa Ali'i Beach
Day 1 of the Men's QS 10,000 saw a mash up of local and international athletes
Major upsets in massive surf
Unruly Pipeline made things tricky for a lot of top seeds at the Volcom Pipe Pro, including the 2x World Champ.
Billabong Pipe Masters
Adriano de Souza é campeão mundial e ainda vence Medina na final do Pipe Masters.
Steep drops, heavy sets and throaty tubes are all in a day's work for pro surfers. But it's what you don't see that makes them heroes.
Temporada 2015 da WSL foi encerrada com uma decisão verde-amarela inédita e com Gabriel Medina campeão da Tríplice Coroa Havaiana.
Adriano de Souza takes down the field for the final event of the season and wins his first World Title.
Adriano de Souza addresses the world (in English and Portuguese) moments after winning the 2015 World Title.