Kelly Slater re-enters the Volcom Pipe Pro winner's circle for the first time in two years after an epic finish. He took the win from the iconic North Shore spot this Tuesday, February 2, 2016 (local time). "The waves were crazy" said Kelly Slater, all smiles, after his victory. C' was the kind of waves you dream about as a kid. Winning this contest is awesome of course, but we were all there to surf some waves first. Were they the stars of the day "added the 11-time world champion.
credit: WSL / Tony Heff
For the past two years, Kelly Slater had not won any titles, with his last victory coming at the 2014 Volcom Pipe Pro, on the same famous North Shore sport on Oahu. It was also on this same Pipeline spot that the surfer had signed his previous victory in 2013, the Billabong Pipe Masters. He is back on top in a Qualifying Series 3000 event in Hawaii, which included John John Florence, Bruce Irons and Jamie O'Brien. Even if this event of the qualifying circuit is not a World Tour event and does not pay much in points (3000 points) and prize money, it is no less prestigious. And even though the competition was not World Tour competition, it was still top notch.
credit: WSL / Freesurf/Heff
credit: WSL / Tony Heff
After two early rounds where he played without triumph, he was able to complete his quarterfinal, semifinal and final rounds. In the latter, he took two big hits to finish with a score of 16.56, well ahead of Jamie O'Brien (9.94, combo), Makai McNamara (8.90) and Bruce Irons (6.73, combo).
credit: WSL / Kelly Cestari
Slater was on the Pipe himself, performing all sorts of yoga positions, while stringing together two lefts and rights. With this win, he gets his 10 e victory in Pipeline, which now includes 7 Pipe Masters, 2 Volcom Pipe Pros and 1 Da Hui Backdoor Shootout.
credit: WSL / Freesurf/Heff
credit: WSL / Tony Heff
Nice performance for the Frenchman Joan Duru
Joan Duru made it all the way to the semi-finals, but was unable to compete with Kelly Slater and Bruce Irons. However, the Landais can be proud of the course he has achieved and will have to continue on this line to rub shoulders with the world elite. He achieved the best French performance.
