Gabriel Medina came into the 2017 season as a clear World Title threat. The 2014 WSL World Champion, many figured, would be breathing fire after losing last year's race to John John Florence. But while Florence kept his foot on the accelerator, Medina got off to a slow start. But he's made a big push of late, including a 3rd place in J-Bay and another Final appearance here in Tahiti. Medina seems to be hitting his stride, and if you had to pinpoint the moment his momentum shifted during the Billabong Pro Tahiti, it would be his 10-point ride during his crucial Quarterfinal battle against Owen Wright. Medina's ability to make it out of this impossible tube seemed to fire him up...and that's reason enough for his peers to be concerned.
