Billabong Pipeline Masters 2012 - Teaser

Vans Hawaiian Triple Crown of Surfing

Billabong Pipeline Masters 2012 - Teaser

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 26 November, 2012 : - - The Billabong Pipe Masters, final stop of the Vans Triple Crown and the final event of the ASP Men’s World Tour, is the culmination of both series. The Banzai Pipeline is often referred to as the best wave on the planet. Known for its perfect, heaving top-to-bottom barrels and its close proximity to shore, it is the perfect wave for those willing to charge, and also for the spectators on the beach.

Part of the allure of Pipeline is that with the perfection comes consequence. Pipeline is one of the most dangerous waves on the planet. It has claimed more lives than any other wave in the world—one fatality a year, on average—inflicts numerous injuries and breaks boards for a hobby. The cause of danger, a shallow slab of reef with crevasses and coral heads, is also the reason for the barreling shape and immense power of the wave.

Heading into the 2012 Billabong Pipe Masters, three surfers remain mathematically in contention for the 2012 ASP World Title: Joel Parkinson (AUS), 31, Kelly Slater (USA), 40, and Mick Fanning (AUS), 31. All three surfers will automatically be seeded into Round 3 of competition and finish no worse than Equal 13th (1750 points).

ASP WCT surfers’ year-end rankings are based off their top eight finishes from the 10 ASP WCT events in 2012. Parkinson is the current rankings leader and the following ASP World Title scenarios are based on his potential finishes at Pipeline.

If Parkinson finishes 13th, 9th or 5th at the Billabong Pipe Masters:
Slater needs a 5th or higher to take the 2012 ASP World Title.
Fanning needs to win at Pipeline to take the 2012 ASP World Title. (*Contingent upon Slater finishing 5th or Lower at Pipeline.)

If Parkinson finishes Equal 3rd at the Billabong Pipe Masters:
Slater needs a 3rd or higher to take the 2012 ASP World Title.
Fanning needs to win at Pipeline to take the 2012 ASP World Title. (*Contingent upon Slater finishing 5th or Lower at Pipeline.)

If Parkinson finishes 2nd at the Billabong Pipe Masters:
Slater needs to win at Pipeline to take the 2012 ASP World Title.
Fanning cannot win the 2012 ASP World Title.

If Parkinson wins the Billabong Pipe Masters, he will take the 2012 ASP World Title.

The Billabong Pipe Masters, the third jewel of the Vans Hawaiian Triple Crown of Surfing, will be run from December 8 – 20, 2012.

Billabong Pipe Masters Champions
2011 - Kieren Perrow, Australia
2010 - Jeremy Flores, France
2009 - Taj Burrow, Australia
2008 - Kelly Slater, USA
2007 - Bede Durbidge, Australia
2006 - Andy Irons, Hawaii 
2005 - Andy Irons, Hawaii 
2004 - Jamie O’Brien, Hawaii 
2003 - Andy Irons, Hawaii 
2002 - Andy Irons, Hawaii 
2001 - Bruce Irons, Hawaii 
2000 - Rob Machado, USA 
1999 - Kelly Slater, USA
1998 - Jake Paterson, Australia 
1997 - John Gomes, Hawaii
1996 - Kelly Slater, USA 
1995 - Kelly Slater, USA
1994 - Kelly Slater, USA 
1993 - Derek Ho, Hawaii 
1992 - Kelly Slater, USA
1991 - Tom Carroll, Australia 
1990 - Tom Carroll, Australia 
1989 - Gary Elkerton, Australia
1988 - Rob Page, Australia 
1987 - Tom Carroll, Australia 
1986 - Derek Ho, Hawaii
1985 - Mark Occhilupo, Australia
1984 - Joey Buran, USA
1983 - Dane Kealoha, Hawaii 
1982 - Michael Ho, Hawaii 
1981 - Simon Anderson, Australia 
1980 - Mark Richards, Australia 
1979 - Larry Blair, Australia 
1978 - Larry Blair, Australia 
1977 - Rory Russell, Hawaii
1976 - Rory Russell, Hawaii 
1975 - Shaun Tomson, South Africa
1974 - Jeff Crawford, USA 
1973 - Gerry Lopez, Hawaii
1972 - Gerry Lopez, Hawaii 
1971 - Jeff Hakman, Hawaii