LIHU‘E — The Billabong Pipe Masters, the third and final jewel of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, will commence today in perfect timing with the arrival of a new swell, states a release from
LIHU‘E — The Billabong Pipe Masters, the third and final jewel of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, will commence today in perfect timing with the arrival of a new swell, states a release from Ocean Promotion.
Thursday also looks promising for a second consecutive day of competition.
Surfline.com, official forecasters for the Vans Triple Crown, expect wave face heights of up to 15 feet. A more northerly swell direction will likely mean that the action will be focused on Backdoor Pipe.
The Billabong Pipe Masters is the final stop of the 2010 ASP World Tour. In its 40th year, it is the longest running and most prestigious professional surfing event in the world. It is also the most venerated jewel of the Vans Triple Crown series, boasting a winners list that includes legendary surfers Gerry Lopez, Shaun Tomson, Kelly Slater, Andy Irons and Tom Carroll.
The complete holding period of the Pipe Masters is Dec. 8-20, with competition to be held on the three biggest and best days of surf available therein.
Australia’s Joel Parkinson currently leads the Vans Triple Crown ratings, a title he has owned for the past two years. Fellow countryman Taj Burrow is the defending event champion.
Live internet coverage happens every day, starting at 7:45 a.m. with “THE CALL” — the Triple Crown’s live daily morning show that features all the latest news, highlights and happenings. The series will also be broadcast live on television around Hawai‘i on Oceanic Time Warner Digital Cable channels 250 and HD1250.
The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing consists of three men’s and three women’s professional surfing events that are the final stop on the 2010 Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour. In its 28th year, the Vans Triple Crown is considered the most prestigious title in surfing next to the ASP World Title.
The third jewel of the 2010 Women’s Vans Triple Crown, the Vans Duel for the Jewel, will also be held at Pipeline, featuring Australians Tyler Wright and Stephanie Gilmore, O‘ahu’s Coco Ho and Kaua‘i’s Alana Blanchard.
2010 Surfer Poll Awards
The 2010 Surfer Poll Awards were held Monday at the Turtle Bay Resort on O‘ahu’s North Shore. It was the first time in several years the prestigious awards have been held in Hawai‘i and ASP surfers dominated the reader poll results.
Kelly Slater finished first in the fan voting on the men’s side, with Dane Reynolds, Jordy Smith, Mick Fanning and Taj Burrow rounding out the top five.
Andy Irons came in sixth, with Rob Machado, Joel Parkinson, Julian Wilson and Owen Wright completing the top 10.
World champion Stephanie Gilmore was No. 1 on the women’s side. She was followed by O‘ahu’s Carissa Moore and Coco Ho, Peru’s Sofia Mulanovich and Kaua‘i’s Alana Blanchard at No. 5.
In the movie awards, Andy Irons was voted Best Barrel for his Skeleton Bay performance in “High-5.”
Jamie O’Brien got Best Performance in “Who is J.O.B,” as well as the Heavy Water award.
Craig Anderson was named Breakthrough Performer.
Jordy Smith was given Best Maneuver in “Modern Collective” and Derek Dunfee suffered the Worst Wipeout in “Down with the Ship.”
Digital Short of the Year was awarded to “Dark Side of the Lens” by Allan Wilson and Mickey Smith.
Best Cinematography went to “Castles in the Sky” and “Sea of Darkness” was named Best Documentary.
The Movie of the Year was given to “Modern Collective.”
