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\nPictured: Kelly Slater (USA), 41, and Mick Fanning (AUS), 32, will battle at the Billabong Pipe Masters to decide the 2013 ASP World Title.<\/p>\n
Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons
\nEvent No. 10 of 10 on the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT)
\nPipeline, Oahu, Hawaii
\nDecember 8 – 20, 2013<\/p>\n
ASP World Title Showdown Set for Billabong Pipe Masters, Possible Start Tomorrow<\/p>\n
\nPictured: Kelly Slater (USA), 41, and Mick Fanning (AUS), 32, will battle at the Billabong Pipe Masters to decide the 2013 ASP World Title.<\/p>\n
Credit: ASP\/CESTARI <\/p>\n
PIPELINE, Oahu\/Hawaii (Saturday, December 7, 2013) \u2013 The waiting period for the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons begins tomorrow, December 8, and with a promising swell pulsing into the North Shore, the world\u2019s best surfers could take on the heavy Hawaiian barrel of Pipeline and Backdoor as early as tomorrow morning.<\/p>\n
The final stop on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Billabong Pipe Masters will see the culmination of the ASP World Title Race between Mick Fanning (AUS), 32, and Kelly Slater (USA), 41, the final 2014 ASP WCT qualifiers and the crowning of the coveted Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Champion.<\/p>\n
Mick Fanning, two-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 1, secured his last ASP World Title at Pipeline and is in familiar territory entering the culmination of the 2013 season. While the stakes are high at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Fanning is currently in a relaxed mindset entering competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year was exciting because I was a real long shot,\u201d Fanning said. \u201cI was kind of stoked that I got to sit back and watch Kelly (Slater) and Joel (Parkinson) battle it out, but this year everything\u2019s feeling good. There\u2019s a lot of surfing and a lot of things that have to happen (to win the World Title). You have to take it as it comes and enjoy it. There is a long break before the Pipeline event, but I\u2019ve been keeping busy when my mind starts to wander and think about the World Title.\u201dKelly Slater, 11-time ASP World Champion and six-time winner at Pipeline, must win the Billabong Pipe Masters in order to surpass Fanning to claim a 12th ASP World Title. In the event that Slater does win, Fanning must place third or higher to secure the title for himself. While Slater is one of the most decorated surfers in Pipeline history, he knows the road ahead will be no easy task.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m feeling pretty relaxed, but I\u2019m sure as the event starts the reality will set in,\u201d Slater said. \u201cThe reality is, I need to win the event. Hopefully Mick (Fanning) doesn\u2019t get to the Semis like he\u2019s done in every other event this year. I\u2019m pretty excited and I think we have a bit of good surf in the forecast and if we don\u2019t get through the next couple of days, it looks like there could be a nice Pipe swell.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Slater has won five ASP World Titles since his return from retirement in 2002, the Floridian has not secured the coveted ASP World Championship at Pipeline since before his return to competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did win a couple World Titles at Pipeline in the 90s,\u201d Slater said. \u201cThey\u2019re definitely a lot nicer to put away early because you\u2019re always going to have that period of time where you have a lot of time to think about what could happen. This situation is pretty black and white for me. I think if Mick were not to get past the Quarters and I was, then the pressure is very clearly on my shoulders. Until that time, I don\u2019t feel like it\u2019s a very stressful situation, but at that time, it could be the most stressful situation of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joel Parkinson (AUS), 32, reigning ASP World Champion and defending Billabong Pipe Masters Champion, is no longer in contention for the ASP World Title, but is ready to attempt a repeat victory at arguably the world\u2019s most iconic venue.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just excited to not have the World Title to think about and it\u2019s nice to just think about surfing your heat,\u201d Parkinson said. \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity to surf with one other guy at Pipe and I\u2019ve still got a chance at a Pipe Master. It doesn\u2019t have the same energy as last year, but it\u2019s by far the most honored contest to win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michel Bourez (PYF), 27, current ASP WCT No. 11, is currently tied for first on the Vans Triple Crown Rankings with Ezekiel Lau (HAW), 20. the Tahitian kicked off his Hawaiian run with a big win at the Reef Hawaiian Pro, but stumbled at Sunset Beach and is looking for a standout performance at Pipeline.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always nice to win a contest here in Hawaii, especially Haleiwa because I won it a couple of years ago,\u201d Bourez said. \u201cI had such a bad run at Sunset, but I\u2019m just stoked to be here in the position with Zeke (Ezekiel Lau).\u201d<\/p>\n
Ezekiel Lau punctuated his 2013 ASP Qualifying Series with incredible form, securing a win at the ASP Prime Vans World Cup of Surfing at his home break. The win would vault the Hawaiian in to a tie with Bourez on the Vans Triple Crown Rankings and this season will mark Lau\u2019s first career Billabong Pipe Masters appearance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really happy to be alongside these guys and this is my first year in the Pipe Masters,\u201d Lau said. \u201cI\u2019m really excited. I\u2019m trying not to think about the names too much and I\u2019ve been surfing out here (North Shore) my whole life. I really enjoy surfing out there and know the wave a lot. I feel real comfortable and I\u2019m going to try and use that to my advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Event organizers will convene tomorrow at 6:30am to assess conditions for a possible 8am start.<\/p>\n
Lau will face off against Patrick Gudauskas (USA), 28, in the opening heat of the Billabong Pipe Masters.<\/p>\n
The Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons holds a waiting period from December 8 through 20 and will be webcast LIVE via vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com<\/p>\n
Surfline, official forecasters for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, are calling for:
\nSolid NNW swell will kick off the Pipe Masters on Sunday the 8th with well overhead surf and light wind. Good NNW swell and favorable wind conditions will continue through Mon\/Tues the 9th-10th as well, before the swell drops off thereafter. Possible decent size pulse of new NW swell for around Fri\/Sat the 13th-14th.<\/p>\n
BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
\nHeat 1: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
\nHeat 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Joel Centeio (HAW)
\nHeat 3: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Marcus Hickman (HAW)
\nHeat 4: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Kaimana Jaquias (HAW)
\nHeat 5: Yadin Nicol (AUS) vs. Kahea Hart (HAW)
\nHeat 6: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) vs. Bruce Irons (HAW)
\nHeat 7: Dusty Payne (HAW) vs. Reef McIntosh (HAW)
\nHeat 8: Jadson Andre (BRA) vs. Olamana Eleogram (HAW)
\nHeat 9: Mitch Crews (AUS) vs. Shane Dorian (HAW)
\nHeat 10: Granger Larsen (HAW) vs. Kalani Chapman (HAW)
\nHeat 11: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) vs. Ricardo dos Santos (BRA)
\nHeat 12: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS)<\/p>\n
BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
\nHeat 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. TBD
\nHeat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. TBD
\nHeat 3: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. TBD
\nHeat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. TBD
\nHeat 5: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. TBD
\nHeat 6: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. TBD
\nHeat 7: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. TBD
\nHeat 8: Brett Simpson (USA) vs. TBD
\nHeat 9: Travis Logie (ZAF) vs. TBD
\nHeat 10: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. TBD
\nHeat 11: Adam Melling (AUS) vs. TBD
\nHeat 12: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. TBD<\/p>\n
BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
\nHeat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. TBD
\nHeat 2: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. TBD
\nHeat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. TBD
\nHeat 4: Nat Young (USA) vs. TBD
\nHeat 5: John John Florence (HAW) vs. TBD
\nHeat 6: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. TBD
\nHeat 7: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. TBD
\nHeat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. TBD
\nHeat 9: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. TBD
\nHeat 10: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. TBD
\nHeat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. TBD
\nHeat 12: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. TBD<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons Event No. 10 of 10 on the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii December 8 – 20, 2013 ASP World Title Showdown Set for Billabong Pipe Masters, Possible Start Tomorrow Pictured: Kelly Slater (USA), 41, and Mick Fanning (AUS), 32, will battle at the Billabong … Continue reading “ASP World Title Showdown Set for Billabong Pipe Masters”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[24],"class_list":["post-14031","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-asp-surfing-news","tag-surfing-news-archive"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14031","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14031"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14031\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14031"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14031"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saltwater-dreaming.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14031"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}