G.Medina vs. M.Pupo vs. B.Brand - Condensed Heat
Gabriel Medina's Round One draw against two other goofyfoots -- wildcard Benji Brand and Miguel Pupo -- was intriguing from the start. Brand took control of the heat early and was putting pressure on the two Brazilians. But when Pupo feverishly stroked into the best Pipe wave of the entire day, casually pulled up under the lip looking like Gerry Lopez and was rewarded with the day's best score -- 9.93 -- things were looking dire for Medina. The Brazilian won his first World Title here in 2014, and is making another run at the silver cup.
At the 12-minute mark Medina was still in a combination situation, needing two scores to come back. He managed to find one: an impossibly late drop and stellar tube that earned him excellent score of his own, but it was too little, too late. He'll now be up against the very dangerous wildcard, Dusty Payne, in Round Two's elimination heats, with his World Title hopes hanging in the balance.
Gabriel Medina Blinks First in World Title Showdown
Brad Drew
Gabriel Medina's Round One draw against two other goofyfoots -- wildcard Benji Brand and Miguel Pupo -- was intriguing from the start. Brand took control of the heat early and was putting pressure on the two Brazilians. But when Pupo feverishly stroked into the best Pipe wave of the entire day, casually pulled up under the lip looking like Gerry Lopez and was rewarded with the day's best score -- 9.93 -- things were looking dire for Medina. The Brazilian won his first World Title here in 2014, and is making another run at the silver cup.
At the 12-minute mark Medina was still in a combination situation, needing two scores to come back. He managed to find one: an impossibly late drop and stellar tube that earned him excellent score of his own, but it was too little, too late. He'll now be up against the very dangerous wildcard, Dusty Payne, in Round Two's elimination heats, with his World Title hopes hanging in the balance.
Benji Brand
Gabriel Medina becomes the first Brazilian to win two World Titles.
Opening day of the QS 3,000 saw excellent conditions and performances from proven winners
The Jewel of the Bukit Turns On as Benji Brand takes the win.
The tube riding specialist takes the win of his career in pumping Padang Padang barrels.
Regional athletes head to the remote right-hander in the Tuamotus
Billabong Pipe Masters
Nobody rides a backside barrel quite like Gabriel Medina, and he reminded everyone of this fact in a clutch Finals Day performance.
In advance of the upcoming Keramas Quarterfinal, see Slater give Filipe Toledo a few pointers at the 2018 Pipe Masters.
Medina stole the show at Pipe Masters, but he was not the only one to shine.
Follow Medina through four rounds of commanding scores in as he wins his second World Title and his first Pipe Masters in 2018.