Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters
(December 8-20)
Andy Irons last years winner – can he do it again?
See the event LIVE on www.aspworldtour.com or www.ripcurl.com
PIPELINE, Hawaii (Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2006) After a sensational finish to the second of the three Vans Triple Crown of Surfing events yesterday where Australian Joel Parkinson stole the show in huge waves at Sunset Beach, anticipation for tomorrows potential start of the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters is at an all time high.
The event, the last of 11 on the Fosters ASP World Tour, is one of surfings most prestigious and spectacular as surfers risk life and limb to score some of the biggest tube rides of their lives.And with the world crown having already been in the living room of now eight-time champion Kelly Slater (USA) for some months, his fellow tourers will be fighting like cats and dogs to climb onto the podium and be labelled a Pipe Master one of biggest honours in the sport.
On a roll after claiming victory in the first Vans Triple Crown of Surfing event in Haleiwa, then riding home in third place in yesterday’s O’Neill World Cup Of Surfing behind Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Jordy Smith (ZAF) is Hawaiis own Andy Irons who is currently sitting in fifth place on the Fosters ASP World Tour ratings and atop the Vans Triple Crown point score.
Coming from Hawaii, everyone always says that the Triple Crown is just as important as the world title, said Irons. I love surfing these three events. Its home. These are the waves that I grew up surfing and I feel really comfortable out there. Since the ASP world title race finished, my focus has been on doing well in here.
The exciting former three-time world champion loves competing at Pipe and always lifts his performance standards when he tackles the typically powerful Hawaiian waves.
Pipeline is a really special place for me, said Irons. Ive won the Rip Curl Pro Pipe Masters three times and I dont know, I feel like my surfing has lifted just being in Hawaii already. Just being around all my friends and surfing everyday, I feel like Im more confident.
Being the defending champion, Irons knows what it takes to win and over the past few years hes been a constant force in some incredible battles.
The event has always been high-intensity for me, said Irons. Its where I won the world title over Kelly (Slater) in 2003, and Ive picked up a few Vans Triple Crowns there.
Parkinson, who sits just behind Irons at sixth place on the Fosters ASP World Tour ratings and now is in second on the Van Triple Crown showdown, has been in brilliant form for most of the year and after his win yesterday he is brimming with confidence.
Its a really special thing for me, said Parkinson. Everyone says winning the Triple Crown is right up there with winning a world title and I think it is. Hopefully Ill be able to win a world title one day to compare! Ive come close (to winning the Triple Crown) a few times, but Andy always seems to finish just ahead. It will come down to Pipe again this time around, and he (Irons) always performs there. Im looking forward to it.
In an interesting twist to the event, a host of local Pipeline specialists have been slotted into the draw, which will now expand from 48 to 64 and will have four man heats right through the event.
The formidable list of local chargers will include last years finalist Kalani Chapman, Makua Rothman, Tamayo Perry, Jamie OBrien and reigning ASP World Junior champion Kekoa Bacalso to name a few.
This year is going to be interesting with the 64-man field, said Irons. A lot of the local boys are in it, and theyre going to shake things up for sure.
Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters
Round One
Heat 1: Dean Morrison (AUS); Peterson Rosa (BRA); Toby Martin (AUS); Randall Paulson (HAW)
Heat 2: Phil MacDonald (AUS); Darren ORafferty (AUS); Pedro Henrique (BRA); Kalani Chapman (HAW)
Heat 3: Tom Whitaker (AUS); Victor Ribas (BRA); Davey Weare (ZAF); Tory Baron (HAW)
Heat 4: Bobby Martinez (USA); Shaun Cansdell (AUS); Adrian Buchan (AUS); Evan Valiere (HAW)
Heat 5: Damien Hobgood (USA); Adriano de Souza (BRA); Yuri Sodre (BRA); Makua Rothman (HAW)
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS); Mark Occhilupo (AUS); Ben Dunn (AUS); Hank Gaskell (HAW)
Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS); Travis Logie (ZAF); Kekoa Bacalso (HAW); Dustin Barca (HAW)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA); Trent Munro (AUS); Heiarii Williams (PYF); Jamie OBrien (HAW)
Heat 9: Mick Fanning (AUS); Danny Wills (AUS); Rob Machado (USA); Bruno Santos (BRA)
Heat 10: Andy Irons (HAW); Greg Emslie (ZAF); Ian Walsh (HAW); Nathan Carroll (HAW)
Heat 11: Taylor Knox (AUS); Mick Lowe (AUS); Jarrad Howse (AUS); Tamayo Perry (HAW)
Heat 12: Bruce Irons (HAW); Jake Paterson (AUS); Roy Powers (HAW); Solomon Ortiz (HAW)
Heat 13: CJ Hobgood (USA); Chris Ward (USA); Mikael Picon (FRA); Aamion Goodwin (HAW)
Heat 14: Bede Durbidge (AUS); Pancho Sullivan (HAW); Paulo Moura (BRA); Jamie Sterling (HAW)
Heat 15: Fred Patacchia (HAW); Luke Stedman (AUS); Marcelo Nunes (BRA); Reef Mcintosh (HAW)
Heat 16: Cory Lopez (USA); Nathan Hedge (AUS); Troy Brooks (AUS); Owen Wright (AUS)
Rip Curl and ASP will be hosting a live webcast of the entire event, which will include action replays and commentary from some of the sports most notable characters.
Stay tuned to www.ripcurl.com and www.aspworldtour.com for all the details.
For further information about the Vans Triple Crown Of Surfing go to www.triplecrownofsurfing.com
Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters Past Champions
Year Champion Home Country
2005 Andy Irons Hawaii
2004 Jamie OBrien Hawaii
2003 Andy Irons Hawaii
2002 Andy Irons Hawaii
2001 Bruce Irons Hawaii
2000 Rob Machado California
1999 Kelly Slater Florida
1998 Jake Paterson Australia
1997 John Gomes Hawaii
1996 Kelly Slater Florida
1995 Kelly Slater Florida
1994 Kelly Slater Florida
1993 Derek Ho Hawaii
1992 Kelly Slater Florida
1991 Tom Carroll Australia
1990 Tom Carroll Australia
1989 Gary Elkerton Australia
1988 Robby Page Australia
1987 Tom Carroll Australia
1986 Derek Ho Hawaii
1985 Mark Occhilupo Australia
1984 Joey Buran USA
1983 Dane Kealoha Hawaii
1982 Michael Ho Hawaii
1981 Simon Anderson Australia
1980 Mark Richards Australia
1979 Larry Blair Australia
1978 Larry Blair Australia
1977 Rory Russel Hawaii
1976 Rory Russel Hawaii
1975 Shaun Tomson South Africa
1974 Jeff Crawford USA
1973 Gerry Lopez Hawaii
1972 Gerry Lopez Hawaii
1971 Jeff Hakman Hawaii
Current Fosters ASP World Tour Top 10 Ratings After Event #10 The Nova Schin Festival Brazil
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 7824
2. Mick Fanning (AUS) 6638
3. Taj Burrow (AUS) 6480
4 Bobby Martinez (USA) 6350
5. Andy Irons (HAW) 6348
6. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 6240
7. Damien Hobgood (USA) 5774
8. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 5138
9. Taylor Knox (USA) 4880
10. Dean Morrison (AUS) 4856