NORTH SHORE, Oahu — (Feb. 1st, 2012) — The final day of competition at the 2012 Volcom Pipe Pro ended in a spectacular showdown in the last 10-seconds of the 35-minute final with John Florence taking the win with a buzzer-beating 9.93 Backdoor barrel. His last wave, together with his earlier perfect 10-point ride, put his combined heat score at 19.93 out of a possible 20 to edge out former Pipe Pro Champion Jamie O’Brien in 2nd, Kai Barger in 3rd and Nate Yeomans in 4th. See Photos and read the whole story at: http://vol.cm/yRHo10

The third day of competition for the 2012 Volcom Pipe Pro started this morning in absolutely perfect 10-12 foot Pipeline. We awoke to pumping surf that cranked all day long from the same WNW swell that washed out Pipeline yesterday.

Today’s standouts included three perfect 10-point rides (with a $1,000 cash bonus from Electric’s “Perfect 10 Award”) given to Balaram Stack (New York), Dusty Payne (Hawaii) and Dylan Graves (Puerto Rico).

After a lull early on, the big-wave season has finally heated up, and this week, the North Pacific is proving to be the place to be.

The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau is the most venerated big wave surfing event on Earth, held at Waimea Bay, Oahu, on a single day during the Hawaiian winter when, and if, waves exceed the 20-foot minimum requirement. The official holding period for this year, the 27th annual, is December 1, 2011 through February 29, 2012. You can find this year’s list of invitees, sign up for email alerts and follow Mark Healey’s weekly updates from Waimea Bay at: www.quiksilver.com/eddie

Shaun White, Louie Vito & More – Men’s & Women’s Snowboard Superpipe Final Highlights Breckenridge

BANZAI PIPELINE, Oahu/Hawaii (Saturday, December 10, 2011) – Kieren Perrow (AUS), 34, has won his inaugural ASP World Tour event, taking out the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons over fellow countrymen Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, in four-to-six foot waves. John John Florence (HAW), 19, also found his way to the podium as the overall winner of the 2011 Vans Triple Crown.

Perrow, who finished runner-up to Jeremy Flores (FRA), 23, in last year’s Billabong Pipe Masters, returned to form again this year and charged the massive Pipeline conditions on the opening two days of competition to solidify his position on the 2012 ASP World Tour. The Australian was equally deadly in the smaller conditions on the final day and commanded the Final against Parkinson in a backdoor shootout to secure his maiden ASP World Tour victory.

“It took me up until now to get over getting second to Jeremy last year” Perrow said. “It’s so good to get back here. I just felt so comfortable the whole time. I’ve had such a great event anyway and coming in to today, it was just amazing. The waves have been phenomenal. I haven’t surfed Pipe like that in my entire career. This is pretty much the pinnacle for me.”

Parkinson, a multiple Vans Triple Crown Winner, came close to clinching his first Billabong Pipe Masters Title, but was unable to find a rhythm in the Final against Perrow.

“It’s a hard one to lose because you’ve only got one guy to beat and you’ve beaten so many, but it’s the hardest one to win,” Parkinson said. “I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving than Kieren (Perrow). He’s a true Pipe Master and one of the best guys out there and I’m so glad he won.”

Parkinson battled his way into the Final with a hard fought victory over Kelly Slater (USA), 39, in their Semifinals clash. After a series of exciting exchanges, the Australian was in need of an 8.21 with just minutes remaining and Parkinson drove through a barrel on his backhand to secure an 8.60 and his Final berth.

“I knew my work was cut out for me,” Parkinson said. “Surfing against Kelly (Slater) is the biggest thing you can do. After he got that 9, I thought, ‘here we go.’ I thought he peaked against John John and he was just at it again. That wave just came to me. It was one of those situations where you forget about everything else, am I in the right position, am I doing anything right. Conditions are not perfect at all, but there are some really good waves.”

Kelly Slater took an amazing come from behind heat win in his Quarterfinals matchup against lethal Pipeline local John John Florence (HAW), 19. The Floridian was in need of a combination of 16.70 to overtake Florence with just three minutes remaining on the clock, and maintained his composure, threading the needle on two back-to-back backdoor barrels for a 9.70 and a 7.83 to surpass the young Hawaiian en route to the Semifinals.

“I was just going to try and have some fun because I didn’t want to run and I thought we’d find another day,” Slater said. “I figured I’d try and get in that head space and I’d ride a short board and I actually got a really good left and my board was wrong for it. I thought it was going to cost me the heat. It just came to me in last three-or-four minutes. I’m just trying to hold John John (Florence)at bay because he’s going to rule Pipe for the next 20 years. I just want to get a couple before I’m done. He’s been the man to beat out here. He’s had two 10s and a couple of high 9’s.”

Slater put on another strong effort in his Semifinals clash against Parkinson, but was unable to surpass the Gold Coast native and finished equal 3rd overall.

“Joel controlled it from the beginning with a 7 to start,” Slater said. “He was holding position from there. I got the 5 and we were in the cycle where he had priority besides that one that I got that 9 on. I’m super surprised that he got both of his good scores on the lefts because we’re usually looking at the right on days like today. He was just in sync with it and there’s not much you can do about that.”

Michel Bourez (PYF), 25, who was rated 3rd on the Vans Triple Crown ratings entering the Billabong Pipe Masters, needed to advance to the Final to surpass Florence on the ratings, but finished painfully close when he lost to Perrow in the Semifinals. Despite falling short of the Vans Triple Crown Title, the equal 3rd place finish marks the Tahitian’s best result of the year.

“It was a painful way to lose, especially when there weren’t many waves out there,” Bourez said. “I wish I won the Triple Crown, but it happens sometimes. It’s good for the confidence and a good result for the end of the year. It’s good to make the Semifinals, but I just wanted one good barrel out there and it never happened.”

John John Florence put on an amazing show at this year’s Billabong Pipe Masters, taking the event’s only two perfect 10-point rides,  but fell to Slater in the Quarterfinals. Florence’s overall effort including a win at the Vans World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach and a 5th place at the Reef Hawaiian Pro secured his first Vans Triple Crown win, making him the youngest competitor in history to win the prestigious series.

“I’m so stoked to be here, I’ve been surfing these waves my entire life and watching everyone over the years,” Florence said. “I’m so happy that I won this and to have my name with everyone else who has won over the years. I just want to say thanks to my Mom and Pancho Sullivan and John Pyzel and all my sponsors. Thanks to everyone.”

For highlights of the 2011 Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons log on to www.vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com/billabongpipemasters2011

For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com

Billabong Pipe Masters Final Result:
1 – Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.17
2 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 7.00

Billabong Pipe Masters Semifinals Results:
SF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.23 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 16.83
SF 2: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 12.00 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 4.07

Billabong Pipe Masters Quarterfinals Results:
QF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.00 def. Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 9.43
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.53 def. John John Florence (HAW) 16.70
QF 3: Michel Bourez (PYF) 7.70 def. Evan Valiere (HAW) 3.66
QF 4: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 17.23 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 9.26

BANZAI PIPELINE, Oahu/Hawaii (Friday, December 9, 2011) – The Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons ran for the second consecutive day in firing 10-foot (3-4 metre) Pipeline and today’s action saw local talent John John Florence (HAW), 19, post the event’s highest scores while the contest’s Quarterfinalists were decided.

The final stop on the 2011 ASP World Title Series, the Billabong Pipe Masters also marks the final jewel of the prestigious Vans Triple Crown.

John John Florence, current leader on the Vans Triple Crown ratings, further asserted his dominance among the field today, securing both the event’s highest heat-total of a near perfect 19.10, out of 20, in Round 3 and eventually went on to seal his second 10-point ride in Round 4.

“That 10 was just a perfect double-up, I just held my line and it was sick,” Florence said. “The waves keep coming in and they’re so perfect. It’s so fun being out there with three guys and I want to go on every wave.”

The young Hawaiian’s flawless score was earned compliments of a deep no-grab backside barrel, which saw the natural-footer relegate ASP World Champions Kelly Slater (USA), 39, and C.J. Hobgood (USA), 32, to Round 5 while advancing directly to the Quarterfinals.

“I was so nervous going in to that heat because C.J. (Hobgood) and Kelly (Slater) are so gnarly,” Florence said. “I’ve looked up to those guys and it’s fun surfing against them. I think it’s the second time I’ve surfed against Kelly and it’s the first time I’ve beaten him. This is definitely a dream surfing my home break with three guys out and beating Kelly, I’m so stoked.”

Kieren Perrow (AUS), 34, kept his ASP Dream Tour campaign alive with another valiant effort at Pipeline today. Perrow, who needed a 5th place result to maintain his position among the elite for next year, charged back to life in his Round 4 heat to overtake Shane Dorian (HAW), 39, with a near-perfect 9.83 barrel-ride, securing both his berth in to the Billabong Pipe Masters Quarterfinals and his position on the ASP Top 34 for 2012.

“I just can’t event believe it, I thought it was done, especially after Shane got that first one,” Perrow said. “You just never give up really. That wave came and I just had my toes on the tail trying to make that drop. I knew Shane only needed a low score so it wasn’t over by any means. It means the world not having to surf a man-on-man heat because winning that guarantees me for next year. Now I can just go home and get some rest and try and win this thing tomorrow.”

Kelly Slater (USA), 39, got the best of a low-scoring battle over Hawaiian talent Marcus Hickman (HAW) after taking several ugly wipeouts during the affair in his Round 3 bout and despite falling to Florence in Round 4, returned to form in Round 5 with some amazing Pipe barrels of his own to earn his Quarterfinals berth.

“I just didn’t get in sync in those in those first couple of heats,” Slater said. “In the first one I was really off. John John was in sync in that next one and being in the right position here is only a matter of a few feet. You’re either in the right spot or not and when it’s a guy’s heat it’s his heat. I got breathed off on the first wave I took in that last heat and Kalani (Chapman) got a good one and I got cleaned up. I was thinking ‘This probably isn’t a good way to start a heat.’ I was patient after that. I got that first one and the second was just a better wave. That one was nice and open.”

Slater, an 18-year veteran of the elite ASP World Tour, is still fired up to compete at the Billabong Pipe Masters after nearly two full decades of competition at the perilous Hawaiian barrel.

“I love this event,” Slater said. “Ask everyone on tour and they’ll probably say it’s their favorite. You get the chance to surf Pipe with a few guys out and have your pick. All young surfers look at it and dream about it. I had a picture on my wall of Pipeline and I thought I’ll never catch a wave like that, so to surf it with one guy with priority, it’s awesome.”

Michel Bourez (PYF), 25, current No. 3 on the Vans Triple Crown ratings, kept his hopes of winning the prestigious Hawaiian title alive today when he scalped two heat victories in the firing Pipeline conditions to earn his spot in the Quarterfinals.

“Winning a Triple Crown would mean to world to me,” Bourez said. “After the World Title, everyone wants to win the Triple Crown. It’s really hard though, because John John (Florence) is leading and he’s on fire right now. It’s going to be an exciting finish for sure.”

Evan Valiere (HAW), 28, continued to dismantle top ranked surfers again today, besting Owen Wright (AUS), 21, and former Billabong Pipe Masters Champion Taj Burrow (AUS), 33, via his immaculate forehand barrel-riding skills.

“When I was watching the heat before mine I didn’t think there would be that many waves out there,” Valiere said. “It seemed like it was set-after-set in that heat and we were having lots of fun. It’s just really exciting to get that barrel and I’m putting everything I have in to it.”

Gabriel Medina (BRA), 17, current ASP World Tour rookie, is well-known for pushing the boundaries of high-performance aerial surfing, but proved he can easily adapt in all conditions when he took out two heat victories in barreling Pipeline to advance to the Quarterfinals today.

“That was a fun heat with three guys in the water,” Medina said. “I’m just stoked to be here. This is my first contest at Pipe and I’m so happy. It’s amazing to be out there. I’ve been here for a month and yesterday was the first day Pipe was breaking. This is only my second day at Pipe and I’m trying out my boards now. Yesterday I got some waves and I feel confident and hopefully I can get some better waves in my next heat.”

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7am local time for a possible 8am start and will possibly crown a 2011 Billabong Pipe Masters Champion by day’s end. For all of the LIVE action log on to www.vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com/billabongpipemasters2011

For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com

Billabong Pipe Masters Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 7.34 def. Aamion Goodwin (HAW) 5.03
Heat 2: Kalani Chapman (HAW) 10.27 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 6.83
Heat 3: Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 6.46 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 4.10
Heat 4: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 8.40 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 6.83
Heat 5: John John Florence (HAW) 19.10 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 14.40
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) 9.50 def. Marcus Hickman (HAW) 3.56
Heat 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 12.77 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 2.27
Heat 8: Michel Bourez (PYF) 6.40 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 5.90
Heat 9: Evan Valiere (HAW) 16.14 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 15.67
Heat 10: Shane Dorian (HAW) 11.24 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 5.66
Heat 11: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 18.73 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 11.60
Heat 12: Taj Burrow (AUS) 8.93 def. Ian Walsh (HAW) 5.36

Billabong Pipe Masters Non-Elimination Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 13.92, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.06, Kalani Chapman (HAW) 12.00
Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) 17.67, Kelly Slater (USA) 8.50, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 5.43
Heat 3: Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.10, Evan Valiere (HAW) 10.84, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 8.17
Heat 4: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.66, Shane Dorian (HAW) 11.87, Taj Burrow (AUS) 7.83

Billabong Pipe Masters Round 5 Results:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.83 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 7.74
Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.80 def. Kalani Chapman (HAW) 14.33
Heat 3: Evan Valiere (HAW) 16.03 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 10.87
Heat 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 9.23 def. Shane Dorian (HAW) 2.30

Upcoming Billabong Pipe Masters Quarterfinals Heats:
Heat 1: Jamie O’Brien (HAW) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 3: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Evan Valiere (HAW)
Heat 4: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Gabriel Medina (BRA)

BANZAI PIPELINE, Oahu/Hawaii (Thursday, December 8, 2011) – The opening day of the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons is LIVE this morning in big 10-to-15 foot waves at the iconic Hawaiian barrel of the Banzai Pipeline and today’s action is slated to see several Pipe specialist take to the water against many of the ASP Top 34 in hopes of completing both Rounds 1 and 2 of competition.

The final stop on the 2011 ASP World Title Series and the third jewel of the Vans Triple Crown, the Billabong Pipe Masters will play a vital role in several surfers’ requalification campaigns for the 2012 ASP World Tour.

“We’ve got 10-to-15 foot surf at Pipeline this morning with wash-through sets at second reef,” Randy Rarick, Billabong Pipe Masters Contest Director said. “This is the biggest surf we’ve had in the memory of the event.”

Up first this morning will be ASP Top 34 member Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 23, against Pipeline specialist Marcus Hickman (HAW) in the opening heat of Round 1.

The Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons will begin at 8am local time and be webcast LIVE via http://vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com/billabongpipemasters2011

For additional information log on to www.aspworldtour.com

Upcoming Billabong Pipe Masters Round 1 Match Ups:
Heat 1: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Marcus Hickman (HAW)
Heat 2: CJ Hobgood (USA) vs. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)
Heat 3: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Evan Valiere (HAW)
Heat 4: Travis Logie (ZAF) vs. Bruce Irons (HAW)
Heat 5: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Ian Walsh (HAW)
Heat 6: Chris Davidson (AUS) vs. Kai Barger (HAW)
Heat 7: Daniel Ross (AUS) vs. Aamion Goodwin (HAW)
Heat 8: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Jamie O’Brien (HAW)
Heat 9: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Laurie Towner (AUS)
Heat 10: Willian Cardoso (BRA) vs. Shane Dorian (HAW)
Heat 11: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) vs. Jack Freestone (AUS)
Heat 12: Mason Ho (HAW) vs. Hank Gaskell (HAW)

Upcoming Billabong Pipe Masters Round 2 Match Ups:
Heat 1: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. TBD
Heat 3: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 4: John Florence (HAW) vs. TBD
Heat 5: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. TBD
Heat 6: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) vs. TBD
Heat 7: Brett Simpson (USA) vs. TBD
Heat 8: Adam Melling (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 9: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 10: Dusty Payne (HAW) vs. TBD
Heat 11: Tiago Pires (PRT) vs. TBD
Heat 12: Jadson Andre (BRA) vs. TBD

Upcoming Billabong Pipe Masters Round 3 Match Ups:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 2: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. TBD
Heat 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. TBD
Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 5: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. TBD
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. TBD
Heat 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. TBD
Heat 8: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. TBD
Heat 9: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 10: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. TBD
Heat 11: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. TBD
Heat 12: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. TBD

VANS TRIPLE CROWN TOP 3 (Heading into Billabong Pipe Masters):
1. John John Florence (HAW) 9,780 pts
2. Adam Melling (AUS) 9,650 pts
3. Michel Bourez (PYF) 8,480 pts

ASP WORLD TITLE TOP 5 (Heading into Billabong Pipe Masters):
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 63,350 pts
2. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 48,600 pts
3. Owen Wright (AUS) 47,900 pts
4. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 43,700 pts
5. Taj Burrow (AUS) 42,200 pts

HONOLULU (Dec. 1, 2011) — Hawaii’s John John Florence has stood on the sand here at Sunset Beach watching the crowning of surfing champions since he was 6-years-old. Today, at 19, he stood on the podium, having realized his childhood dream of winning the Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach, and taking the lead on the coveted Vans Triple Crown presented by Rockstar Energy Drink series ratings. It was an overwhelming victory for Florence, who surfed in his first Vans Triple Crown event at the tender age of 12.

Today was also a dream come true for the Vans family, who brought John and the Florences into the fold when he was eight years old. At that time they recognized a child with prodigious talent, a gentle nature, and a genuine appreciation for the ocean and the fortunate opportunities it represented.

“Vans has a long tradition of family, from the Van Dorens to the Florences, and John has been part of our family since he first learned to surf,” said Doug Palladini, Vans’ VP of Marketing. “We are so proud of what John accomplished today, what he has done to live up to his potential this year, and we marvel at the possible impact he will ultimately have on surfing beyond his 19th year.”

In the final, Florence led a spectacular tube-riding battle in perfect 10-foot surf against Michel Bourez (Tahiti, 2nd), Adam Melling (Australia, 3rd), and Hank Gaskell (Maui, 4th) to win $40,000. His two-wave heat total of 17 points (9.5, 7.5) eclipsed the field, leaving the other three in need of a two-wave combination of scores to overtake the lead.

Florence began his Vans Triple Crown campaign two weeks ago at Haleiwa, where he placed fifth. The third and final leg of the Vans Triple Crown now awaits him on his home doorstep at Pipeline. The Billabong Pipe Masters will get underway on December 8. Florence began his 2011 campaign at the Banzai Pipeline in February, winning the 5-star Pipeline Pro. From there, he leapt off onto the global ASP tour with hopes of securing a berth among the elite Top 32. He has achieved that, now ranked 19th in the world.

“I’m having fun, I surf for a living and that’s a dream in itself,” said Florence.

“This is my first 6 star Prime win, it’s at home, it’s one of my home breaks and all my family and friends are here, so it’s one of the best moments of my life, for sure. It means everything. I’ve watched these guys since I was so little growing up here and coming to events when I was six years old, getting their autographs.”

On the upcoming Pipe Masters: “I live right there at Pipe and I surf there almost every day in all conditions. Its going to be fun, for sure.”

There was as much adrenaline on the beach as there was on the waves for the final. Sunset turned on like a giant wave machine, pumping out a succession of rides that saw every finalist get barreled. But Florence’s performance was astounding; he covered an expansive lineup seemingly picking off waves at will with every one of them offering an impossible amount of tube time. Bourez and Melling fought hard to catch him in the 30-minute final. At one point, Melling found himself inside a game-changer of a tube ride, traveling for more than 100 yards and disappearing for six seconds, but he failed to emerge through the curtain of whitewater. After his runner-up finish at Haleiwa, and his third here today, Melling is ranked second on the Vans Triple Crown ratings and will follow John John to Pipe.

“It would have been good to go one better than the last contest, but I guess that’s how it is,” said Melling, from Australia’s Lennox Head. “But if there’s barrels and John John’s around I’m sure he’s in them somewhere.”

On his tube ride that was the longest of the final: “It wasn’t that great! I didn’t make it! But it would have been good. I was coming through it, I raced, and I got through one hard bit and then just into the next and it dropped out on me. I thought I had it there for a little bit. It would have been nice to come out of it.

“The Triple Crown means everything. Since I was young coming over here I’ve always wanted to win it, which would be amazing. Last year I did alright out at Pipe but I’m guessing this year’s going to be a little bit different. I think it’s going to be big Pipe. I’ll have to get out there this week and get a bit of practice in.”

Bourez is the most successful Tahitian surfer in the 29-year history of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. A former champion of the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa, his powerful surfing style is a natural fit for the North Shore’s famous winter waves. Now rated third on the Vans Triple Crown rankings, and headed to Pipe, 2011 has seen him reach a new high.

“It’s such a good feeling just to be on the stage right now, to have made the final with all the boys,” said Bourez. “I’m just glad to be on tour and be in the final with them today.

“My first wave, oh my god, that was a bomb. Just right at the end I didn’t make it and I thought if I made that one, it was close to a 10 maybe. To start the heat with a 10 would have put so much pressure on the others, but it didn’t happen.”

Fourth-placed Hank Gaskell is an underdog fairytale. A quiet achiever who doesn’t travel on the tour, Hank lives for waves like those he rode at Sunset today. From the neighboring island of Maui, Gaskell found his way into the Triple Crown by virtue of winning the local Hawaii series this year. He made good on the opportunity and now gets his second wildcard to Pipeline.

“This is really special to me,” Gaskell said. “I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life. I’ve never done this well in the Triple Crown before so I’m so happy to do this good and make a final. Now Pipe. I’ve got to get psyched for that. I think I’m ready. I’ve surfed in Pipe twice before, not in a few years tho so I’m really happy to be back in that event. I’ve had a little luck and put in a lot of hard work, so it’s paying off. I’m proud of myself.”

Brazil’s Raoni Monteiro, the defending champion of this event, lost out in the semi-finals to Florence and Gaskell, placing equal 7th overall.

Florida’s Evan Geiselman, 18, was eliminated in the round of 32 today but emerged as the JN Automotive Rookie of the Vans Triple Crown – a prestigious title that signals a stellar surfing future.

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is a three-event series staged on Oahu’s North Shore. It is famous for its three equally challenging venues of Haleiwa, Sunset Beach and Pipeline that represent the ultimate test of a surfer’s ability. To win the Vans Triple Crown is second only to winning the ASP World Title.

PRESS CONFERENCE ALERT: 

BILLABONG PIPE MASTER PRESS CONFERENCE
DEC. 6, 11AM, SURFER BAR TURTLE BAY

FINALS: 

1st – John John Florence (HAW) 17.00pts, $40,000

2nd – Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.30pts, $20,000

3rd – Adam Melling (AUS) 11.96pts, $12,000

4th – Hank Gaskell (HAW) 11.53pts, $10,000

SEMI FINALS 

HEAT 1 : Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.03pts ; Adam Melling (AUS) 8.00 ; Olamana Eleogram (HAW) 7.60pts ; Dusty Payne (HAW) 4.60pts

HEAT 2 : John John Florence (HAW) 18.40pts ; Hank Gaskell (HAW) 14.50pts ; Adrian Buchan (AUS) 13.57pts ; Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 9.77pts

QUARTER FINALS 

HEAT 1 : Adam Melling (AUS) 12.86pts ; Michel Bourez (PYF) 11.33pts ; Evan Valiere (HAW) 7.16pts ; Nat Young (USA) 7.16pts

HEAT 2 : Olamana Eleogram (HAW) 17.83pts ; Dusty Payne (HAW) 17.50pts ; Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.16pts ; Travis Logie (ZAF) 6.16pts

HEAT3 : Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 14.77pts ; Hank Gaskell (HAW) 11.67pts ; CJ Hobgood (USA) 11.50pts ; Joel Centeio (HAW) 4.87pts

HEAT 4 : Adrien Buchan (AUS) 14.84 ; John John Florence (HAW) 14.23pts ; Ian Walsh (HAW) 13.37pts ; Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 9.43pts

ROUND OF 32

HEAT 1 : Evan Valiere (HAW) 12.53pts ; Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.40pts ; Jesse Mendes (BRA) 6.57 ; Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 6.50pts

HEAT 2 : Adam Melling (AUS) 14.84pts ; Dusty Payne (HAW) 9.97pts ; Heath Joske (AUS) 6.50pts ; Josh Kerr (AUS) 6.23pts

HEAT 3 : Olamana Eleogram (HAW) 12.90pts ; Michel Bourez (PYF) 8.47pts ; Kai Otton (AUS) 7.40pts ; Kieren Perrow (AUS) 5.10pts

HEAT 4 : Travis Logie (ZAF) 13.23pts ; Nat Young (USA) 10.77pts ; Evan Geiselman (USA) 8.30pts ; Taj Burrow (AUS) 6.94pts

HEAT 5 : CJ Hobgood (USA) 12.27pts ; Ian Walsh (HAW) 9.50pts ; Dane Gudauskas (USA) 8.66 ; Lincoln Taylor (AUS) 3.10pts

HEAT 6 : Joel Centeio (HAW) 13.54pts ; Adrian Buchan (AUS) 13.03pts ; Damien Hobgood (USA) 10.50pts ; Tonino Benson (HAW) 7.14pts

HEAT 7 : Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.26pts ; Hank Gaskell (HAW) 10.27pts ; Chris Davidson (AUS) 8.63 ; Sunny Garcia (HAW) 7.96pts

HEAT 8 : John John Florence (HAW) 16.33pts ; Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 12.83pts ; Mitchel Coleborn (AUS) 11.67pts ; Dane Reynolds (USA) 9.83pts

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is made possible by Vans, Rockstar Energy Drink, Reef, Billabong, Nixon, Skullcandy Supreme Sound, Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaii Tourism, GoPro, Turtle Bay Resort, State Farm, JN Automotive Group, Wavejet Propulsion, Climb On Products, Clif Bar, Oceanic Time Warner Cable, Road Runner, Flo Water, Surfline.com, SURFING Magazine, and the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP).