Billabong Pipeline Masters Day 2
Locals Fall
- December 10, 2008
- 0 Comments
- By Story/Photos By TOB
Day 2 of the Billabong Pipeline Masters is in the books. One more day to go! The surf was not quite as good as the first day, but good enough for Joel Parkinson to get a perfect heat, two 10’s.
The Hawaiian locals, who were doing so well on day one, starting falling out of the competition. There are only four wild cards left in round 4. Marcus Hickman is having a great run, beating Occy, Ben Dunn, and Mick Fanning. Jamie O’Brien is a freak who does things like drop in goofy foot on a back door bomb, stay in the barrel forever, and come out regular stance. Kamalei Alexander is having a great Triple Crown and keeps it going one heat at a time, putting out Daniel Ross, Michael Picon and Taj Burrow. Evan Valiere beat Mick Campbell and our own CJ Hobgood. CJ had Evan down with an 8.33 and an 8.37 and looked good to pass when Evan posted a 9.0 and a 9.13 to knock him out.
Earlier, Damien Hobgood met Luke Steadman. After the first 20 minutes of non priority in their heat it was 5.50 for Damien and 7.34 for Luke Steadman. Damien needed a 3.68. At the end of their 20 minutes of priority, the score was the same. It is not like there weren’t waves. Joel Parkinson managed to get a 10 in the non priority situation, and Dusty Payne got a 9.33. Damien and Luke just sat for the rest of their heat. Damien did requalify for next year’s Dream Tour because of the way the other guys have fallen. Meanwhile, Joel got another 10, and Dusty conceded, paddling in with about 5 minutes to go.
Kelly took down wild card Ezra Sitt, and faces Kieren Perrow in round 4.
With Dusty and CJ out of the running, the Triple Crown frontrunners are now Joel Parkinson and Bede Durbidge, defending champion.
There is one more day needed to finish the Billabong Pipeline Masters. There is stormy weather predicted for tomorrow, but a possibility of running Friday or Saturday. The holding period runs through December 20.
Reporting from the North Shore of Oahu: TOB