Unbackable favourite wins third crown.
To the surprise of no one, least of all bookmakers who had him as an almost unbackable favourite, Gabriel Medina has won his third world title in pretty blue-green three-to-five-foot waves at Lower Trestles.
Medina, twenty-seven and the 2014 and 2018 world champ, marauded the Lowers lineup, attacking his enemy with a ferocious backhand attack jazzed up with lofty airs, including a version of the Flynnstone Flip, invented and popularised by Hawaiian Flynn Novak.
Medina only needed two of a possible three heats to win the title.
“How do you beat Gabriel Medina twice in one day? It’s very rare,” said Mick Fanning. “He has so many different ways to win.”
“To win, you have to cripple him!” said Kelly Slater.
“I’m crying I’m so happy,” said Medina.
Heat analysis from Longtom to follow shortly.
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Surprisingly watched most of it while working on some other shit at my desk all day. Not a huge Gabriel fan, but glad he took it as he absolutely destroyed everyone else all season. It was only fitting. I feel like Tati was underscored on a wave or two and Carissa slightly over-scored on a few. IMO, Tati won, but I’m not a judge so there’s that. lol. Also enjoyed having Mick and Kelly doing commentary as well.
Thanks LT. Quality reflections as always. Fuck they were lucky with the day they got. Fucking very lucky. In all honesty I slept in and caught the last 2 minutes of the final men’s heat. Very surprised to hear MF and KS in the booth but was actually pleasant. Gave it a touch of credibility. Did I miss anything? Probs not. The drama of a wildcard knocking a world number two in round three at pipe brings the drama. No Gavvy Gillette to be seen here.
Not sure I agree that the 2nd, 3rd,
4th, and 5th place surfers by
points should have a chance at a
World Title other than via points.
Puts too much pressure on
Gabe and Charlie.
That said, “Phil” surfed well in
the finals, which was handled
well in the booth by Cote, Hodge,
and Fanning. But he pulled into
the poo rather than Chopu, and
at first the judges liked it, but
when they finally realized Gabe’s
airs were higher and farther
than Josh Kerr’s, and his floaters
almost as good as Slater, Gabe
gets the win. The man who
shoulda won did. Good to see
Slater handled the bait job, and
gave Fanning the day off to do
the play by play next to the
metaphorical dialogues of Rosy
and Chris. I’ll need to watch the replays
some more as I was interrupted
by a sea creature breaching about
600 yards out.
Pretty disappointed that Kelly did not end on some huge announcement to complete a day of epic shade throwing
Did Fhil get chaired up the beach by his wrestlemania protagonist?
You didn’t miss it because it wasn’t there.
Ooooo gimme a sec while I reach for the tin foil hat. Fake shark news?
100%
You can’t script this
First time in many years that I didn’t watch the final day. Dont feel like i missed out either..
The wave sucked and I’d rather watch those guys at head high lowers vs overhead but I think the format change is a good one.
He’s my favourite professional exaggerator
Mick even said he could’ve gone over a house
But pro-surfers have never been known as the most honest bunch of people, mostly a pack of lying scumbags.
8ft above the flat way out in front ?
Maybe there’s a photo we can look at and discuss till next years season starts…hehe
I think someone reminded us today that Kelly’s house was a tent growing up, so it wasn’t so big.
Highlight of the day was Kelly saving Mick from the shark
Who knew that Kelly’s mind tricks work on sharks?
Damn, wanted Pip to win. Just to see the World burn one asterisk at a time.
I wanted him to win so the other locals would finally have one of their fellow locals as a winner, something they’ve never had before
Only guy that could have pulled off an asterisk
2-4ft is more accurate
It’s the swell size
The slopey bit out the front where it doesn’t break doesn’t count, just the steep bit
thank no god but south swell son, you won on the lefts…
Fuck the WSL. Didn’t watch it. Probs coz it started at midnight my time and I’m an old, grizzled cunt who sleeps at 10pm. Did wake up at 5-ish maybe closer to 6-ish and caught the end of women’s heat and the men’s heat 2. Saw Gabby win. Stoked for him.
Didn’t bother watching any heat replays. Mostly coz I rolled over and went back to sleep for 20 mins before my daughter came in and sat in my head. Best man won. Best woman won. The whole surfing world breathed a thank fuck sigh of relief. Did we really need a whole day finals format just so could all say “Thank Christ those 2 won”?
Oh yeah. Fuck the WSL and their scheduling and shit. Core.
asked nobody…
I woke up at 6am wife yelled at me, made breakfast for the 2 year old, turned it on fuck its 5 mins into the mens final great missed everything. Had a shower, got ready for work, wife and 2 year old both now yelling at me. Drove to work turned it on again watched the final 4 mins of the girls final. Yeah awesome scheduling thanks wsl you do realise it was australians who fucking started professional surfing in the first place! Fuckwits
Cry is still free.
Meh, if I’m perfectly honest, I highly doubt I would’ve sat through Morgs and Coffin and Italo Philly etc. All I hoped for was a Gabby win and justice served. Couldn’t give two shits about the rest of the day.
That’s just me though.I’m sure the IT boffins in the WSL will find some positivity in the metrics and validation in the online reach…
Australian to do list: create pro surfing, adhere to Captain Wacks daily schedule, manifest the concept of the international dateline, control the earth’s rotation, tell the sun where and when to rise/set, tell WSL to get fucked. In that order.
I was hitting the beers till late.
Had three hours sleep.
Cracked more coldies watching the comp till the sun came up.
Fed the cats, ducks, turkeys and peacocks.
Kept supping till Tati got swindled.
Then drove the tractor out the back paddocks feeding hay to the cows.
Now back at the house about to put a leg of wild pork in the oven and have a quiet day till my brother gets back tonight with some buddage…
Surely there’s room for a banjo in there somewhere?
So you didn’t end up getting around to ploughing the rice paddies with your oxen though?
Hahaha
It’s actually been pissing down enough lately, if it was warm rice probably would grow.
I’m a bit of a hands off farmer though, I go by the minimum input for maximum outcome theory. Beef and garlic. Won’t make me rich, but a good lifestyle…
https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
3-5 feet? Tough crowd.
Tough crowd ?
Actual size.
Not Carlsbad height.
But least we’ll know that if you ever write a Novacastrian size that it must include the slopey bit way out in front.
Deserved
Tati is ripping
3 to 5 feet?
man, how do you measure?
https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
The real way.
You don’t count the slopey bit out in front
a foot is a foot.
no if, +’s, nor butts!
a seagull, is ah, how big?
https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
as seen, above, with 1 foot of a DeWalt tape measure, displayed, for ya?
3 to 5 foot waves, for thee finals, at Trestles, huh?
right…
how big is yer cock, bro?
hahahahaha!
Looks like 2-3
GabriELo Medina