John John Wins The Vans Triple Crown
All Hail The King
Anyone who knows surf would’ve been hearing the name John John Florence a lot. He’s been winning awards all over the place, in November he made the semifinals of the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa and most recently nabbed the Vans World Cup of Surfing. Going into Pipe there were plenty of favourites, and though the youngster didn’t nab Pipe itself – the 19-year-old has won his first ever Vans Triple Crown.
John John Florence manhandling Pipeline Stafford SPL
Florence made headlines as a youngster when he made the cover of Surfer Magazine in 2004, now he’s become one of Hawaii’s greatest stars. With the upcoming event, he was shaping up to be the one to beat.
Florence dazzled everyone on day one and two of the Billabong Pipeline Masters – with two perfect tens and a 9.93 in one of the the biggest swells in this event’s history. While he maintained the points lead for the Triple Crown title, he lost the quarterfinal to Kelly Slater in one of the best heats of the Pipe Masters.
When Tahitian Michel Bourez lost his semifinal to Pipe’s eventual winner, Kieren Perrow – Florence clinched the title with 13060 points to Bourez’ 12930.
Florence had this to say:
I’m so stoked to be here, I’ve been surfing these waves my entire life and watching everyone over the years, I’m so happy that I won this and to have my name with everyone else who has won over the years. I just want to say thanks to my Mom and Pancho Sullivan and John Pyzel and all my sponsors. Thanks to everyone
Florence qualified to join the ASP World Tour halfway during the season, and has quickly risen to No.34 after only six of the eleven events – he is considered to be one of the future stars of barrel riding.
Billabong Pipe Masters Final Result:
1 – Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.17
2 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 7.00
Billabong Pipe Masters Semifinals Results:
SF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.23 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 16.83
SF 2: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 12.00 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 4.07
Billabong Pipe Masters Quarterfinals Results:
QF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.00 def. Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 9.43
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.53 def. John John Florence (HAW) 16.70
QF 3: Michel Bourez (PYF) 7.70 def. Evan Valiere (HAW) 3.66
QF 4: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 17.23 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 9.26
via: transworld surf espn
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