028 - Spit! December 2, 2014

In today’s episode of Surf Splendor, David and Scott break down the upcoming Pipe Masters event and the recent report of the ASP operating at a $30 million loss. Yikes! From the forecast, to the trialists, the injuries, and all the rumors swirling around The Rock, we’ve got the full scoop. Enjoy!

Shout-Out to Edgar Chamorro for speeding up load times here on our website. Check out his site TumboVerde.com

INTRO

Beware of Mr. Baker Trailer

THE WSL IS $30 MILLI IN THE HOLE

Link to Jake Howard’s article on StabMag.com

THE PIPE MASTERS PREVIEW

The Pipe Masters starts December 8th.

The 2014 Title race scenarios are now as follows:
-If Medina finishes 2nd or better at the Billabong Pipe Masters, he will clinch the 2014 ASP World Title.
-If Medina finishes 3rd at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Fanning will need to win the event and Slater will be out of contention.
-If Medina finishes 5th at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Fanning will need to win the event and Slater will be out of contention.
-If Medina finishes 9th at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Fanning will need to finish 2nd or better and Slater will be out of contention.
-If Medina finishes 13th or 25th at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Fanning will need to finish 3rd to win or 5th to send the title race into a one-heat “surf-off” between himself and Medina.
-If Medina finishes 13th or 25th at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Slater will need to win the event.

Here’s the Round 1 Heat Draw:

A Potential Surf-Off!

Link to the full article on ASPWorldTour.com

Mick Fanning and Gabriel Medina could end up deadlocked if Medina is eliminated in Rounds 2 or 3 and Fanning finishes in equal 5th. The ideal scenario is to hold three heats, 30 minutes each, in a best-of-three surf-off. There would be 20-minute breaks between the heats for a total time of 2 hours and 10 minutes if all three heats are needed. In a situation where there is not enough time for a best-of format, there will be a single heat surf-off of minimum 35 minutes.

Gabriel Medina in the New York Times

Link to the full article on NYTimes.com

Some highlights from the artcle, Matt Warshaw said, “Many argue that Brazilians have always been at a competitive disadvantage, trying to assimilate in an English-speaking professional surfing league . . . There’s fuel there. Because of small and not-so-small injustices that Brazilians have had to deal with for 30-something years, there’s a notion of, Let’s go out there and correct this; let’s make this right. Medina is just sort of a manifestation of something that is much bigger and much more powerful.”

And Renato Hickel the World Championship Tour manager and a former head judge on the tour said, “Medina’s worst enemy is himself. It’s his nerves. If he manages to concentrate and manages to calm his nerves, he’s in control.”

A Word On Judging

From the ASP Rulebook (page 58)

“Judges analyze the following major elements when scoring a Ride:
– Commitment and degree of difficulty
– Innovative and progressive manoeuvres
– Combination of major manoeuvres
– Variety of manoeuvres
– Speed, power and flow
NOTE: It’s important to note that the emphasis of certain elements is contingent upon the location and the conditions on the day, as well as changes of conditions during the day.”

Here’s the problem: At Pipe, 3 out of the 5 criteria don’t really come into play. 1: Innovation and progressive maneuvers, 2: combo of major maneuvers, 3: variety of maneuvers.

The big question is: Do they need to redefine a criteria for specialty waves?

Injury List

-Taj Burrow and Adriano de Souza have withdrawn from Pipeline.
-Kelly Slater broke his toes at Cloudbreak in November, but should be ready for Pipeline.
-Joel Parkinson and John John Florence both withdrew from Sunset due to injury, Parko’s was at Pipeline. Parko’s currently ranked 6th on the ‘CT and is out of title contention. It’s worth noting that he’s being replaced by Yadin Nichol, a potential spoiler, who sits 39th on the QS.