What a day. That’s about all that can be said for what unfolded in the water at Pipeline and Backdoor today. And what’s more, the man of the hour might not be the one you’d expect.
Brazil’s Alejo Muniz, the dark horse, all but cemented Gabriel Medina’s World Title by eliminating both Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning, the only two men capable of stealing the championship from Gabriel Medina. A-LEY-HO! A-LEY-HO! That was the first name chanted on the beach today from the overwhelmingly large Brazilian crowd.
Julian Wilson also put on an incredible performance to claim the Pipeline Masters and the Triple Crown, and, of course, Gabriel Medina, surfed like a World Champion. Competing to the bitter end. Signing autographs until the sunset. Finding time to celebrate mid-heat, but all the while carrying a new torch with class, excitement, and style. What a day. Congratulations to everyone who competed, to Julian Wilson, and to Gabriel Medina for a birthday present he won’t soon forget.
