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To the Nines: Pipe Goes Off for Huge Performances
WSL
In spite of the pressure building to earn a fourth World Title, Mick Fanning (AUS) remained calm and focused in his Round 1 heat. With Banzai Pipeline firing on all cylinders, Fanning opted to go right and found a hollow and heavy barrel, escaping before the lip crashed down for a 9.43.
During his Round 1 heat at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Championship Tour veteran Kai Otton (AUS) charged through a throaty tube, making it out the other side. The technical performance earned him a score of 9.73, putting him way out ahead of his heat opponents to start.
C.J. Hobgood (USA), who is due to retire after the Billabong Pipe Masters, scored a Perfect 10 in his first heat of the event. A "perfect" score is when all five judges give the surfer 10 points.
Kelly Slater (USA) may not be in the hunt for a World Title this year, but he reminded everyone why he's a seven-time winner of the Billabong Pipe Masters. The 11-time World Champion opened his Round 3 heat against Michel Bourez (PYF) with a massive barrel and a score to match.
John John Florence (HAW), whose backyard overlooks the site of the Billabong Pipe Masters, opened his Round 3 heat there with a 9.33 to take the lead over John John Florence (HAW).
John John Florence (HAW) dominated his Round 3 heat against Taj Burrow (AUS) while surfing in his own backyard. He opened with a 9.33, but wasn't done. This impressive backside barrel earned him a 9.93 -- almost a perfect, 10-point score.
Sebastian Zietz (HAW) dropped a perfect 10 in his Round 3 heat at the Billabong Pipe Masters. The Hawaiian stood tall in a hollow barrel, emerging behind the spit in a heroic display of commitment and was rewarded accordingly.
Julian Wilson (AUS) ended his 2015 season on a high note when he flew out of a deep barrel at the Billabong Pipe Masters for a 9.23 at the beginning of his Round 3 heat.
Looking to defend his World Title, Gabriel Medina (BRA) swings into a heavy barrel for a 9.30 and a crucial advance out of Round 4 of the Billabong Pipe Masters.
John John Florence (HAW) made his mark on the Round 4 super heat at the Billabong Pipe Masters when he dropped into a massive barrel and making a seemingly impossible escape for a 9.83.
With a World Title on the line, Mick Fanning (AUS) pulled out all the stops to win his Round 4 heat and advance to the Quarterfinals. He was in third place in his with just five minutes left when he found the wave he needed: He pulled into a huge tube at Pipe and came out with the spit to score a 9.30.
Wildcard Mason Ho shocked the elite field of competitors at the Billabong Pipe Masters when he ran through a drainer in pumping conditions for a 10-point ride in Round 4.
Kelly Slater (USA) finds a deep spot in the pit for a 9.07 to start his Round 5 heat. It would ultimately carry him through to the Quarterfinals.
Sebastian Zietz (HAW) dropped a perfect 10 in his Round 3 heat at the Billabong Pipe Masters. The Hawaiian stood tall in a hollow barrel, emerging behind the spit in a heroic display of commitment and was rewarded accordingly.