- 2022-02-06
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SPORTS
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World Surf League: Kelly Slater Wins Billabong Pro Pipeline, 30 Years After His First Triumph
The 1st stop on the World Surf League 2022 Championship Tour, Billabong Pro Pipeline took place at Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii.
On February 5th, 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) won Billabong Pro Pipeline, beating local hero Seth Moniz (HAW) in the Final.
By the Final, Kelly Slater defeated Jake Marshall (US) in Round of 32, Barron Mamiya (HAW) in Round of 16, Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) in Quarterfinal and Miguel Pupo (BRA) in Semifinal.
This marks his 8th title and 30 years since his first topped the podium of the Pipe Masters. Also it is his first Pipeline win in 9 years since 2013 and is his 56th Championship Tour victory.
“I was out there just telling myself, be in the moment no matter how much tension there is, just breathe,” Kelly Slater said in the award's ceremony. “I said just stay in the moment, just soak it up, even if he beats you, just love it all. I committed my life to this. To all of this. To all of the heartbreak and winning and all this crap, you know, I've hated lots of it, but I savor this and this is the best win of my life.”
“It was really special just sharing a Final out there with him," Seth Moniz said. "It was an honor to surf against him and a big privilege for me to be out there with him.”- eXSh8qYPWLQ
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His win in the first event of the 2022 World Championship Tour propels him to the top of the rankings, but he hinted he might retire.
“I don't know how many more of these are going to happen. This honestly might be it, I might not show up to (the next contest at) Sunset (Beach).”
Also he has been warned by Australian officials he will not be allowed to compete in upcoming events there if he doesn't get vaccinated against COVID-19.
He hasn't revealed his vaccination status like tennis world number one Novak Djokovic.
Billabong Pro Pipeline Men's Final Results:
1 – Kelly Slater (USA) 18.77
2 – Seth Moniz (HAW) 12.53
Billabong Pro Pipeline Men's Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 9.76 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 8.58
HEAT 2: Seth Moniz (HAW) 13.50 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 6.33
Billabong Pro Pipeline Men's Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.17 def. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 7.50
HEAT 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 8.10 def. Lucca Mesinas (PER) 6.00
HEAT 3: Seth Moniz (HAW) 17.93 def. John John Florence (HAW) 16.67
HEAT 4: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 11.67 def. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 1.73
Photo by Brent Bielmann and Tony Heff- source : World Surf League
