Half and Half

TIME TO SHINE: Jordy has worked hard on his Pipeline strategy. Photo WSL / Bielmann

A tragic shark incident at Honolua Bay on December 8 led to the decision -- the first time a women's CT competition has ever been held at the iconic lefthander, and reigning World Champ Carissa Moore acknowledged how tough the spot can be. "On a normal day it's really tricky and intimidating to get a wave out here so to look at the lineup with only another girl out is pretty special."

Of the women left in the draw, a number of them already boast experience at Pipe. Moore has been spending some time in the lineup with former Pipe Master Jamie O'Brien this season. Prior to that, she's participated in number of Pipe Invitational specialty events, including her performance in 2015, which saw her post two 9-point rides to take the win.

Tatiana Weston-Webb also competed in the same event in 2015, while Tyler Wright made her appearance at the Pipe Invitational in 2016 -- an event that saw Stephanie Gilmore post a 9-point ride of her own and top the podium. Coco Ho won the 2018 iteration of the event, with Moore finishing in second place.

IN THE PIPELINE: Carissa won a speciality event at Pipeline back in 2016. Photo WSL

But first, the last five heats of the Round of 16 in the men's Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons and presented by Hydro Flask must take place, as well as the finals. The early morning 7am call today (7pm in South Africa) will also determine the schedule for the final day of competition for the Maui Pro presented by ROXY. The forecast is calling for smaller swell and stiff trades today after a classic day of tube riding yesterday.

Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) had a brilliant day out in the 8ft+ chunky conditions. The Italian earned a spot on the 2021 CT season after winning the Injury Wildcard surf-off. He made the most of his berth on tour, hitting the water three times. In the Elimination Round, he got 2nd behind Peterson Crisanto (BRA), and stayed in the water for Heat 1 of the Round of 32, beating Filipe Toledo (BRA). Later in the day, Fioravanti again faced Crisanto in the Round of 16, but this time took the win and became the first surfer to qualify for the Quarterfinals.

Rookie Jack Robinson (AUS) was another surfer on fire. He beat fellow Australian Julian Wilson and he will face 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) in Heat 4 of the Round of 16. Slater is looking incredible for a guy aged 48. He beat Ethan Ewing (AUS) in the Round of 32. “I got a bad wave at the start of my heat, I almost hurt myself," said Slater, “then all a sudden, I got two good ones and got a third good one toward the end of the heat.”

NIP AND TUCK: Matt McGillivray made it to the Round of 16. Photo WSL / Bielmann

The Round of 32 also saw several victories from the Brazilian Storm, with defending World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA), two-time World Champion Gabriel Medina, Jadson Andre, Peterson Crisanto, Caio Ibelli, and Miguel Pupo all winning their heats. Ryan Callinan (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Jack Freestone (AUS), and Kanoa Igarashi (JAP) also won their heats and advanced to the Round of 16.

However, Crisanto and Ibelli are officially out after the first three heats of the Round of 16 were run yesterday before the day's competition ended.

Matthew McGillivray stamped his mark on the tour with an emphatic win against another youngster Seth Moniz (HAW) in the Round of 32 but Pipe veteran John John Florence (HAW) was his undoing in the Round of 16. John John will face Fioravanti in Heat 1 of the quarters. Jordy Smith (ZAF) also advanced to the Quarterfinals after beating Caio Ibelli (BRA).

WUNDERKIND: Fantasy players will want to have this power surfer. Photo WSL / Bielmann

Maui Pro presented by ROXY Remaining Quarterfinal Matchup
Heat 4: Sage Erickson (USA) vs. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA)

Semifinal Matchup
Heat 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Heat 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. TBD

Billabong Pipe Masters Round of 16 Heat Line-ups
Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA), Jack Robinson (AUS)
Heat 5: Italo Ferreira (BRA), Ryan Callinan (AUS)
Heat 6: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Jack Freestone (AUS)
Heat 8: Jadson Andre (BRA), Kanoa Igarashi (JAP)

Quarterfinal Heat Line-ups
Heat 1: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. John John Florence (HAW)
Heat 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. TBD

Elimination Round Results
Heat 2: Ryan Callinan (AUS) 12.83 DEF. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 6.64, Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 1.20
Heat 3: Mikey Wright (AUS) 9.84 DEF. Wade Carmichael (AUS) 5.36, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 1.27
Heat 4: Peterson Crisanto (BRA) 4.87 DEF. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 4.50, Conner Coffin (USA) 2.93

Round of 32 Results
Heat 1: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 11.00 DEF. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 3.00
Heat 2: Peterson Crisanto (BRA) 9.10 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 4.33
Heat 3: John John Florence (HAW) 13.17 DEF. Connor O’Leary (AUS) 9.94
Heat 4: Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 13.67, Seth Moniz (HAW) 9.04
Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 9.17 DEF. Mikey Wright (AUS) 7.33
Heat 6: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 9.30 DEF. Wade Carmichael (AUS) 5.77
Heat 7: Kelly Slater (USA) 12.80 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 8.60
Heat 8: Jack Robinson (AUS) 17.73 DEF. Julian Wilson (AUS) 10.17
Heat 9: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 10.16 DEF. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 2.06
Heat 10: Ryan Callinan (AUS) 9.60 DEF. Yago Dora (BRA) 6.67
Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (BRA) 11.17 DEF. Joshua Moniz (HAW) 2.36
Heat 12: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 10.47 DEF. Kolohe Andino (USA) 8.23
Heat 13: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 11.83 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 6.34
Heat 14: Jack Freestone (AUS) 13.00 DEF. Frederico Morais (POR) 5.23
Heat 15: Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.66 DEF. Michel Bourez (FRA) 4.33
Heat 16: Kanoa Igarashi (JAP) 10.00 DEF. Deivid Silva (BRA) 9.00D

Round of 16 Results
Heat 1: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 10.33 DEF. Peterson Crisanto (BRA) 6.73
Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) 8.50 DEF. Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 5.73
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.67 DEF. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 1.63

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