It’s wild how much better the WSL seems when they get some waves for events. Of course there will still be complaints and unfavorable opinions (Medina not getting a perfect 20 at Teahupoo, Griffin El Salvador interference, etc.), but for the most part, everyone’s stoked. It’s a medium happy.
Tahiti was fucking insane. Obviously I was not expecting anything near what went down out there. What a mental event that was. I still have one underlying question, which may be even more prevalent now with the Olympics right around the corner – where was Joao for that event? He’s wearing the helmet out in pretty ‘safe’ surf, at least in comparison to Teahupoo. Maybe he is not medically cleared to surf a “wave of consequence”? One can speculate..
El Salvador snuck up on me before I had any kind of a chance to put anything down about it. I need to be better. I know all of you dear faithful readers get sincerely upset when I don’t put out any prediction or preview pieces. I receive an influx of messages asking for the grind. By now you’ve also grown used to me not following up on any events. That will change as well. Like I said, we’re improving around here.
Anyways, yeah, El Sal was pretty sick too. Finals Day specifically. And the CT is heating up! John John locked into the Final 5? Are you kidding me! It’s pretty early for that though, no? Is it surely impossible for him to be caught? Can you imagine yet another mathematical blunder by the Woz – John loses both Brazil and Cloudbreak in the Elimination Round, and 5 people somehow, someway pass him up..
I’m not sure if that is possible, but I think it would be hilarious if so. It’s also going to be pretty interesting to see double John out at Lowers. Hopefully there’s some swell for Finals Day..
YAGO DORA.
That dude was the star of the event. The way he dismantled Medina was one of the gnarliest things I have ever seen. Medina, the Terminator. Just looked absolutely new. It really looked like a mismatch. Which is insane to say. I’m just really excited to see how Yago takes this momentum and goes in Brazil. He won there last year. He could be a legit World Title threat if he gets in the Final 5.
A few more thoughts from the past 2 events –
Are Griffin and Ethan slipping? I would be asking about Jack Robbo too had he not squeaked past O’Leary and into the QF’s in Central America. There has been only one Quarter Final appearance between Griffin and Ethan through Margarets, Teahupoo, and Cloudbreak. After Brazil, we’ll know exactly who needs what in Fiji. I would not be feeling great heading down there in that position. Definitely pressing for a result.
Is Jordy going to get there? We’ve been whispering about him since the start of the year. Now, there he is. Sitting right at Number 5 on the rankings, just above a 3 headed Brazilian Monster.
Number 6 – Medina. Number 7 – Italo. Number 8 – Yago. Any of which has the potential to win (another) World Title. Who will get there?
A couple of unsuspecting names having big years – Rio (11), Crosby (10), and Jake Marshall (9). Marshall just keeps finding a way to make heats – he has not lost in the Elimination Round this year, which is obviously huge for your results standings. Crosby seems like he’s not anywhere near his potential in a jersey, which is threatening to say the least. And Rio, wow. I’m just pretty surprised. Never expected the kid to be on Tour this long, let alone ranked that high.
A few disappointments – LOB (18), Kanoa (14), O’Leary (21). It’s pretty crazy to me that I feel like Liam is doing some of the best surfing of the year, but he’s ranked way down at 18th. He must be having tough luck and horrible matchups (read: facing judging favorites). One day the tide will turn in his favor. He rips too hard for it not to. That is unless he decides to say fuck the Tour and make way more money than the whole thing is worth being a Rocket Scienist. Kanoa’s gone from Final 5 two years ago, to finishing 14th last year, to sitting in the same position this year, and trending down. His window may be closing. And for O’Leary, well I thought the judges loved him. I’m just surprised to see him down there, I think he tears.
So, there we have it. Some brief thoughts about the last two events. Brazil is gonna be here before I can even get a full night’s sleep, so I’m getting the preview article out sooner than later. Been surfing a lot, and the waters warming up. It’s almost summer time baby! You can see it in the crowds. No matter. Get your waves Jack!
Cheers,
hwilsin
Drew Stanfield