Following their Round Five clash at the Billabong Pipe Masters, photographer Steve Sherman captured a candid moment between Gabriel Medina and Kelly Slater. In the image, Slater appears to be congratulating the Brazilian for making the most of his World Title chances, you can see the appreciation in Slater's body language.
Gabriel Medina earns an 8.93 in Round Four Heat 3.
Prior to the Tour landing in the south of France for the Quiksilver Pro France, John John Florence was on the verge of running away from a small pack of Title contenders for the second year in a row. It was looking like he might lock things up in Europe before the Tour hit the North Shore, yet again.
Medina used priority like a stone cold killer to keep Slater off this wave. Slater still scored a 6.83, imagine the score if Medina hadn't. - WSL / Tony Heff
But then Medina went on his tear, finding that elusive purple patch of form that all great athletes strive to achieve. If his win in France made things interesting, his win in Portugal -- the very next event -- made things downright gripping. His performances at Pipe were riveting, and he has nothing to hang his head about. Mere mortals would have given up ages ago. It was top-notch entertainment.
For that effort, and much more, we have Gabriel Medina to thank.
Gabriel Medina's Legend Grows at the Billabong Pipe Masters
WSL
Following their Round Five clash at the Billabong Pipe Masters, photographer Steve Sherman captured a candid moment between Gabriel Medina and Kelly Slater. In the image, Slater appears to be congratulating the Brazilian for making the most of his World Title chances, you can see the appreciation in Slater's body language.
Prior to the Tour landing in the south of France for the Quiksilver Pro France, John John Florence was on the verge of running away from a small pack of Title contenders for the second year in a row. It was looking like he might lock things up in Europe before the Tour hit the North Shore, yet again.
But then Medina went on his tear, finding that elusive purple patch of form that all great athletes strive to achieve. If his win in France made things interesting, his win in Portugal -- the very next event -- made things downright gripping. His performances at Pipe were riveting, and he has nothing to hang his head about. Mere mortals would have given up ages ago. It was top-notch entertainment.
For that effort, and much more, we have Gabriel Medina to thank.
Gabriel Medina
Featuring Barron Mamiya, Molly Picklum, Gabriel Medina, Tatiana Weston-Webb, John John Florence, Erin Brooks, and Macy Callaghan.
Featuring Gabriel Medina, Griffin Colapinto, Yago Dora, Leonardo Fioravanti, Erin Brooks, Ethan Ewing, Tatiana Weston-Webb, and Rio Waida.
Gabriel Medina is mathematically in the hunt to make the WSL Final 5 still and goes excellent in the Opening Round to begin his charge in
Meet Brazil's Magician Gabriel Medina. Relive every excellent score Medina has laid down through the first 8 stops on the 2024 WSL
The best of Gabriel Medina competing at one of the world's most critical waves, Teahupo'o!
Billabong Pipe Masters
In 2017, Owen Wright returned to Pipeline -- the scene of a serious injury which had threatened to derail his surfing career.
The Tour comes down to the North Shore of Oahu, and the world's most challenging wave.