If you watched the Gabriel Medina vs John John Florence heat at Teahupoo a few days ago, you might have noticed that it could have gone either way (all bias excluded). So what was the deciding factor?
Both surfers used every trick in the book to get deep, stay deep and come out of a lackluster, trickier than normal Chopes barrel. With a massive score needed, Gabriel pulled in stayed deep and punched through a clipped lip, and then, in classic Medina fashion, he pulled his signature move… no not the air reverse (though in a moment of desperation he did attempt an air at Chopes) …Gabriel pulled out his patented one hand up, number one figure held high on the pull out.
In some circles, the claim is more polarizing that logs vs. thrusters. There’s a strong correlation between latitude coordinates and one’s perspective on the matter. Some call it passion others call it cheesy (this unprofessional opinion leans toward the latter).
However you view the tactic, one thing looked evident in the scoring of that heat. The claim was to blame. Sorry JJF… it looks like sheer talent can’t win ’em all.
