FANTASY SURFER NEWS - PRO TOUR UPDATE
|
|
THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH – THE RIP CURL PRO PIPELINE MASTERS COULD BEGIN TOMORROW
December 8, 2005 will signify the beginning of the waiting period of what has been dubbed “The Greatest Show On Earth” – the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters.
The 11th and last event on the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour will lock into its waiting period tomorrow and will endeavour to get underway in the best conditions possible.
(Despite the fact that there is nearly two weeks for the event to run it only takes a maximum of five days to complete.)
Swell forecasts for the kickoff look positive with the only fear being that it could get too big to start.
“There’s a west swell on the way and it’s due to build tomorrow,” said ASP International President Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, who has had his ear on the ground in anticipation of a new swell arriving. “But the question is whether it will build in the morning or the afternoon. It is the perfect swell direction for Pipe. Under a normal swell-plotting scenario it would be scheduled to arrive after lunch but because it’s predicted to be west in direction it may be here earlier. The west swells sometimes ‘cut a corner’ and get here earlier… And it could be massive.”
Beginning the Rip Curl Pro Masters Pipeline Masters will be the Rip Curl Code STL Trials, which will feature a host of local Pipeline “shredders”. They will be looking to finish in the top four so they can qualify to compete in the main event.
Names in the 40 man trials field include Pipeline hotshots Liam McNamara, Tamayo Perry, Miles Padaca and Makua Rothman, to name but a few.
The Rip Curl Pipeline Masters is one of, if not the most, prestigious event on the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour and a win here demands serious credibility.
“As with all Hawaiian surfing, performing at Pipeline brings credibility,” said Rip Curl International Marketing Director Neil Ridgway. “And having a Rip Curl Pipe trophy in the bag cements a surfer as truly great. Rip Curl believes in real surfing and the fit for us is at Pipe is perfect.”
Event organizers will assess conditions at first light tomorrow morning (Thursday, 8 December) and will hopefully send trialists out into the lineup.
Stay tuned to www.ripcurl.com or www.aspworldtour.com for all the updates and live action.
Last evening played host to the event’s 35th Anniversary Dinner. All the winners, (see full list below) with the exception of Gerry Lopez, were on hand to wine and dine with each other and many incredible surfing tales were told.
Tomorrow evening the official launch party will be held with all benefits going to the North Shore Lifeguards Association, who each year patrol the treacherous waters and save many lives.
Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters History
• The initial Pipeline event was founded by 1968 world champion Fred Hemmings in 1971. It was then named the “Hawaiian Masters”.
• It was designed for TV with only six surfers being invited. And when only 50 spectators were on the beach to watch the ABC buzzed in 100 people create the illusion that there was a festive environment for the awards.
• The original judging criteria consisted of: “… the win will go to the surfer who can ride the deepest in the tube for the longest period of time, reappear and then complete the wave without falling off his surfboard.” This is still the basis for getting big scores at Pipeline today.
• Jeff Hakman (HAW) took the first prize of $US500 and became the first Pipeline Master.
• Gerry Lopez wins the second event in 1972 and with incredible waves prompting a stunning performance from Lopez, broadcaster Jim McKay from the ABC wipes tears from his eyes on air. Lopez goes on to win again in 1973 then announces his retirement to the stunned media.
• Only two US east coasters have won the event. Jeff Crawford in 1974 and of course Kelly Slater. Slater has won in 1992, 1994,1995,1996 and 1999.
• After Hawaiian Rory Russell scores back to back wins in 1976 and 1977 a brash Larry Blair becomes the first Aussie to win. He goes back to back in 1978 and 1979.
• Mark Richards wins in 1980 while three-finned Thruster inventor Simon Anderson wins in 1981.
• In 1982 Hawaiian Michael Ho, complete with a cast on a broken arm, slides down the face of some monster swells and wins. He returns to make a final again in 1997 at age 40. He was defeated there by fellow Hawaiian Johnny Boy Gomes. Ho’s younger brother Derek would also claim titles in 1986 and again in 1993.
• In 1985 19-year-old whiz kid Mark Occhilupo claims victory in wild conditions. “Occy” is still one of the most popular members competing on the tour. He is now aged 39.
• 1991 and Tom Carroll receives devastating news concerning the passing of a family member. He paddles out in the finals and attacks the wave with pure aggro. He completes what is known as “the snap that was heard around the world”. A huge gouge in the pocket of a beast of a wave – a manoeuvre very few have the courage to attempt. Carroll had won previously in 1987 and in 1990.
• Jake Paterson (AUS) and Rob Machado (USA) pigeonhole wins in 1998 and 2000 respectively in between Slater’s rampage of victories. Machado’s victory particularly, was a masterful display in pristine Pipeline conditions.
• 2001 and younger brother Bruce begins three years of Irons Brothers domination of Pipe. Andy wins in 2002 and 2003. The ’03 victory will be remembered particularly because of the showdown for the world title race where Andy Irons came from behind in the ratings to win Pipe and the world title in front of a shattered Slater.
• 2004's wildcard Jamie O’Brien whips the field of better known elite tier tourers and claims victory in front of a ranting home crowd.
Pipeline Event Champions Year by Year
Year Champion Home Country 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
THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH – THE RIP CURL PRO PIPELINE MASTERS COULD BEGIN TOMORROW
Rip Curl and ASP will be hosting a live webcast of the entire event. 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
PHOTOS
STORIES
|
READER COMMENTS
No comments have been added to this entry.