Here Are All Of The Relevant Storylines For Finals Day At Pipe

On Tuesday, we will likely see the 2019 World Champion crowned. 

Italo Ferreira and Gabriel Medina are the most likely victors, with Kolohe holding onto a (generous) 5% chance of winning his first CT event and subsequently the World Title. With their losses last Wednesday, Jordy and Filipe are out. 

Also on the line are the Triple Crown, Olympic bids, and requalification slots for both the Championship Tour and Qualifying Series.

It’s a big day for professional surfing. 

Below, the WSL has broken down the relevance of each coming heat and the surfers participating in them:

Ht 1: @italoferreira needs to advance to avoid been overtaken (and therefore, lose the World Title) by Gabriel Medina. For @peterson_crisanto, at this stage he is tied 20th with Conner Coffin, not completely safe on the CT.

Ht 2: @julian_wilson needs a win to guarantee his Olympic Qualification spot. @yagodora is currently the 23rd position on the CT Rankings. A victory would help his CT qualification and Morgan Cibilic’s access via the QS.

Ht 3: @Jackfreestone must win his heat hoping that Julian loses to take the Olympic spot from Julian. Jack can also take the TC Lead from Ethan Ewing with a 1st place at Pipe.

Ht 4: To qualify for the Olympics, @kellyslater must win Pipe with John John Florence getting a 5th or worse or get a 2nd and hope that JJF finishes 9th: Slater would also need a 3rd or better to take the Triple Crown lead from Ethan Ewing.

Ht 5: @gabrielmedina must win to keep his World Title hopes alive, as long as he finishes Pipe one position ahead of Italo. 

Ht 6: If @john_john_florence finishes 3rd or better, he gets the Olympic spot; If he gets a 5th, Kelly must get 2nd or worse; if JJF finishes 9th Kelly must finish 3rd or below.

Ht 7: @jesse_mendes needs a 3rd or better to have any hopes to qualify via the CT.

Ht 8: @koloheandino must win Pipe and hope that both Italo & Gabriel lose in the next Round of 16 (9th place), his only chance to win the World Title. If either Ferreira or Medina advance to the next Round, Kolohe is out of the World Title Race. @bourezmichel can take the Triple Crown lead from Ethan Ewing with a 3rd or better at Pipe.

We know who Newcastle’s rooting for.

What’s there to take from all of this?

• John needs to beat Gabby if Italo wants to have any chance of winning the Title
• if Kelly can defeat Seth, he’s a shoo-in for the Triple Crown
• no Australian wants Jesse Mendes to succeed

It’s also worth noting that a north swell has covered the Pipeline reef with a thick layer of sand, which will make the left clampy and inconsistent on Tuesday. 

No matter the outcome, you can read about it all here.