SURFERMAG.COM PRO TOUR

Wednesday, December 8, 2004 (Pipeline, Hawaii) Hawaiian Mikey Bruneau today won the Rip Curl Code STL Trials to secure one of two remaining wildcard spots into the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters. Joining him in the Foster’s ASP World Championship Tournament (WCT) is Brazilian Bruno Santos, who finished second this afternoon. The US$260,000 main event will utilize the best surf available before December 20, with organizers evaluating conditions each morning.

A new WNW swell exploded on the North Shore of Oahu overnight, creating difficult 6-12 ft (2-4m) conditions. Competitors faced massive waves rolling in from ‘Third Reef Pipe’, and even more treacherous drops on the inside section where they jostled for position. Selecting good waves was not only necessary to advance, but also a life-threatening decision at times.

The Rip Curl Code STL Trials featured 40 of the best Hawaiian and internationally selected ‘Pipe’ specialists. Coinciding with the first major swell of the winter at Pipeline, today’s surfing was nothing short of spectacular.

The all-important final showcased Bruneau, Santos, and Hawaiians Brian Pacheco and Shane Dorian. While conditions deteriorated during the day due to variable winds, it actually improved during the 30-minute decider and all four surfers continued to push themselves over the ledge in pursuit of a main event berth for Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters.

Bruneau, who placed runner-up in a World Qualifying Series (WQS) event at Pipeline earlier this year to distinguish himself at the notorious reef break, secured the dream finish today. Following three elimination rounds to reach the final, the 21-year-old took control from the outset, posting an 8.83 first ride. He then locked in another 8-point barrel for a commanding victory.

“I can’t believe it,” began Bruneau, after being congratulated by family and friends on the beach. “It was so much fun out there, and I’m really happy to be able to continue. I love Pipeline, scary as it is. I just can’t wait to surf out there some more with nobody out.

“Conditions were tough today, but then it glassed off for the final and I told myself it was time to find a real barrel,” he continued. “Everybody out there surfs really good, so it was whoever got the best waves and I got lucky. I can’t wait to surf the main event. All those guys are legends, but anyone is beatable out here.”

Brazilian Santos proved the strongest non-Hawaiian in the field today, charging his way past a who’s who of respected Pipeline specialists to earn his main event spot. The 21-year-old Rip Curl team rider from Rio de Janeiro impressed all with his committed drops and tube riding skills.

“I never thought this morning I would be one of the two competitors making it through to the main event,” admitted Santos. “I want to thank all the people who were on the beach, and especially the Brazilians who were supporting me. I love this wave and think it’s the best in the world. This is a very special day for me.”

Pacheco, who posted a 9.33 Backdoor barrel this morning, found a couple of quick tubes in the final but ultimately required another ride worth 7.21-points. Fourth place-getter Dorian meanwhile, appeared the real danger man following some of his earlier rides, including a 9.6 in the quarterfinals. After breaking his surfboard first wave however, he remained in the hunt but never found what was needed.

Also of note today were Jason Frederico and fellow Hawaiian Mark Healey. Frederico emerged from an incredible barrel this morning for a near-perfect 9.83 and only narrowly missed out on a final’s berth. Healey, meanwhile, earned the highest combined total of the day with 17.23-points in round two.

Credit must be given to all surfers who contested the Rip Curl Code STL Trials, providing an epic show for those watching from the safety of the shoreline, or via the live webcast. Eight surfboards were snapped in half during today’s competition.

The Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters is part of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Contest action can be viewed by LIVE webcast on www.ripcurl.com & www.aspworldtour.com or at www.triplecrownofsurfing.com from December 8 through 20.

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is made possible through the support of a partnership of the world's leading brands and media companies including: Ford Trucks, G-Shock, O'Neill, Rip Curl, Surfing Magazine, Oahu's Turtle Bay Resort, The Honolulu Advertiser and Fox Sports Net.

Rip Curl Code STL Trials Results

• 1st Mikey Bruneau (HAW) 16.83;
• 2nd Bruno Santos (BRA) 14.2;
• 3rd Brian Pacheco (HAW) 12.67;
• 4th Shane Dorian (HAW) 11.27

Semifinals (1st, 2nd>Final)

• SF1: Brian Pacheco (HAW) 16.9; Mikey Bruneau (HAW) 13.5; Ian Walsh (HAW) 11.0; Aamion Goodwin (HAW) 9.17
• SF2: Shane Dorian (HAW) 11.14; Bruno Santos (BRA) 11.07; Myles Padaca (HAW) 10.67; Jason Frederico (HAW) 8.5

Quarterfinals (1st, 2nd>Semifinals)

• QF1: Brian Pacheco (HAW) 7.93; Ian Walsh (HAW) 7.76; Danny Fuller (HAW) 6.34; Mark Healey (HAW) 5.77
• QF2: Aamion Goodwin (HAW) 10.33; Mikey Bruneau (HAW) 7.33; Naohisa Ogawa (JPN) 6.16; Kamalei Alexander (HAW) 2.38
• QF3: Shane Dorian (HAW) 12.83; Myles Padaca (HAW) 7.0; Makua Rothman (HAW) 4.04; Mikala Jones (HAW) 3.57
• QF4: Bruno Santos (BRA) 11.67; Jason Frederico (HAW) 7.77; Jesse Merle-Jones (HAW) 4.6; Rob Machado (USA) 3.0

Round of 32 (1st, 2nd>Quarterfinals)

• H1: Mark Healey (HAW) 17.23; Brian Pacheco (HAW) 15.93; Fred Patacchia (HAW) 9.5; Tom Dosland (USA) 5.36
• H2: Danny Fuller (HAW) 10.73; Ian Walsh (HAW) 7.67; Richard Sills (ZAF) 5.17; Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 4.33
• H3: Kamalei Alexander (HAW) 8.5; Mikey Bruneau (HAW) 6.1; Tom Curren (USA) 3.87; Takayuki Wakita (JPN) 1.47
• H4: Naohisa Ogawa (JPN) 11.66; Aamion Goodwin (HAW) 10.17; Gabe Kling (USA) 9.4; Marcus Hickman (HAW) 4.2
• H5: Myles Padaca (HAW) 5.63; Makua Rothman (HAW) 4.33; Zane Harrison (AUS) 3.0; Kalani Chapman (HAW) 0.3
• H6: Mikala Jones (HAW) 8.83; Shane Dorian (HAW) 7.6; Jamie Sterling (HAW) 5.34; Dustin Barca (HAW) 3.56
• H7: Jason Frederico (HAW) 8.13; Jesse Merle-Jones (HAW) 7.0; Brian Toth (PRI) 7.0; Derek Ho (HAW) 1.5
• H8: Rob Machado (USA) 10.67; Bruno Santos (BRA) 9.2; Malik Joyeux (PYF) 5.67; Pablo Gutierrez (ESP) 2.5

Round of 40 (1st, 2nd>Rnd of 32)

• H1: Mark Healey (HAW) 13.33; Danny Fuller (HAW) 6.2; Liam McNamara (HAW) 5.56; Braden Dias (HAW) 4.23
• H2: Takayuki Wakita (JPN) 5.9; Aamion Goodwin (HAW) 5.33; Randall Paulson (HAW) 2.93; Laurent Pujol (FRA) 2.17
• H3: Kalani Chapman (HAW) 12.33; Shane Dorian (HAW) 9.67; Tamayo Perry (HAW) 3.7; Travis Lynch (AUS) 1.1
• H4: Jason Frederico (HAW) 12.0; Malik Joyeux (PYF) 9.53; Clint Kimmins (AUS) 7.37; Tory Barron (HAW) 4.8

Subscribe to Surfer Magazine