Kelly Slater will need to win the Billabong Pipe Masters today in order to clinch a 12th ASP World Title.
PIPELINE, Oahu/Hawaii (Saturday, December 14, 2013) - The final day of the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons has been called on ON in massive 10-15 foot (3-4 metre) waves at Pipeline beginning at 9am local time and today’s proceedings will see the crowning of the 2013 ASP World Champion as well as the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Champion.
Stop No. 10 of 10 on the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons has seen ASP World Title contenders Mick Fanning (AUS), 32, and Kelly Slater (USA), 41, advance to the final day of competition, setting up a dramatic finish to the culmination of the 2013 season.
“We have a bombing Pipe swell and it’s an exciting day to crown a world champion,” Marty Thomas, Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Contest Director said. “Good luck to our remaining competitors.”
C.J. Hobgood (USA), 34, will face off against two-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 1 Mick Fanning (AUS), 32, in Heat 1 of Round 5 to start Billabong Pipe Masters competition today.
Surfline, official forecasters for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing are calling for:
Consistent double to triple overhead+ waves at Pipe (faces running in the 10-18′+ zone) with larger sets at times. Some 2nd reef roll-ins to be had and the occasional 3rd reef wash through early. Primarily Pipe, mostly closed out at Backdoor. Light offshore SE wind in the morning. Some of the high res wind models indicate a weak sea breeze could develop through parts of the afternoon. Partly to mostly cloudy skies, occasional passing showers throughout the day.
Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:30am local time for a possible 8am start to Billabong Pipe Masters competition.
The Billabong Pipe Masters holds a waiting period from December 8-20, 2013 and is webcast LIVE via vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com
BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS ROUND 5 MATCH UPS:
Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Mick Fanning (AUS) Heat 2: Nat Young (USA) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS) Heat 3: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Kai Otton (AUS) Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS QUARTERFINALS MATCH UPS:
QF 1: Yadin Nicol (AUS) vs. TBD QF 2: John John Florence (HAW) vs. TBD QF 3: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. TBD QF 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. TBD
