Frederico Morais Will (Likely) Win Rookie Of The Year

Drama, cue it! A title decided before the Pipe Masters is anticlimatic as a Tyler Perry film. We’re thrilled to ice the victory lap and crown our champion. The possible awardees and scenarios, dutifully calculated by staff writer and surf mathematician Michael Ciaramella can be found here. 

However, there is another battle on North Shore – The 2017 Rookie Of The Year.

Right now, the Fred Morais and Connor O’Leary are in the octagon, weighing in at 13th and 14th place holders. And it looks like Freddy’s got more blood on his hands. 

Frederico made his first move back in 2015 as the local wildcard in Portugal, where he knocked out world number one (at the time) Mick Fanning with a powerful combination of turns in round three. Frederico placed fifth overall – which was a standout performance for his first CT event.

Then, this year at J-Bay this year Freddy slipped a casaul 19.77 combo against our current world number one, John John Florence. That momentum carried onto his first CT perfect 10 and a second place finish next to Brazilian flyboy, Filipe Toledo. 

O’Leary proved early this year he can battle with the best. The highlight being his Fijian prowess, taking down CT-Vet Joel Parko in the semis then sliding into the second place spot behind Matty Wilko. 

(Click through to 2:38 – Fun fact: Connor doubles as a seamstress in his free time)

Frederico’s has a history of good results in Hawaii. But, O’Leary won the QS last year, with Frederico trailing at third. This battle will cut to the throat. Whomever takes out the other, will be our 2017 Rookie Of The Year. But like John’s, this is Frederico’s title to loose. 

The WSL did their best to fuel this fire a short time ago “In Fiji, the goofyfooter took out Morais in Round Two on the way to storming to the Final. At J-Bay, Morais returned the favor, squeaking past O’Leary in Round Three, before putting on the afterburners to make his own remarkable run to a final.” 

We will be watching closely to see how this plays out, though, like the rest of you, we’re far more thrilled to see the true champ crowned – consider this a subplot to our title story.

Frederico’s previous results in Hawaii:

2nd – Men’s QS 10,000  Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii 

2nd – Men’s QS 10,000  Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii 

O’Leary’s previous results in Hawaii:

5th – Men’s QS 10,000  Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii 

33rd – Men’s QS 10,000  Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

The Scenarios: 

Frederico places 25th: O’Leary would need to place 13th or better.

Frederico places 13th O’Leary would need to place 9th or better.

Frederico places 9th: O’Leary would need 4th or better, 5th and they would tie.

Frederico places 5th: O’Leary would need 3rd or better.

Frederico places 3rd: O’Leary would need 2nd or better.

Frederico places 2nd: O’Leary could only win with 1st.