Pipe: the ultimate decider. Photo: RuddyPhoto.com
Rankings can be confusing. Half the time, the people putting the numbers together don’t seem to know what’s going on (remember when Kelly won the title twice in one year?). With Ezekiel Lau’s win at the ASP Prime Vans World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach on Sunday, the 2013 ASP Qualification Series has run its course, meaning that someone, somewhere, is thoroughly befuddled with a calculator and a few bits of paper in front of him, trying to figure out who’s on first and what’s on second and who’s stepping toward the 2014 Tour. But the battle for the ASP Top 34 spots is still very much alive, thanks to that third, and most favorite, jewel in the Triple Crown: Pipe.
So here’s the gist of it: the Top 34 for next year will be made of of the top 22 finishers on this year’s WCT rankings, along with the top 10 on this year’s ASP Qualification rankings. Then of course, there are the two wildcards to round out the 34. The Billabong Pipe Masters is important to the Top 34 from this year, because they’re allowed to count two ASP WCT results – as long as they’re a ninth or better – to their qualification rankings. So there’s a chance that the numbers, as they sit now, will get shuffled around a bit. But Al Hunt, ASP Head Judge, ASP World Tour Manager, and ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) Tour Manager, knows the ins and outs of the sport like none other. As such, the ASP went to him to run the numbers. Here’s what he came up with:
The way I see it is Top 10 on the Qualification rankings as of now are:
– Adam Melling (AUS)
– Kolohe Andino (USA)
– Alejo Muniz (BRA)
– Jadson Andre (BRA)
– Mitch Crews (AUS)
– Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
– Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
– Travis Logie (ZAF)
– Dion Atkinson (AUS)
– Mitchel Coleborn (AUS)
So if status quo remains with ASP WCT ranks after Pipe, then those 10 will join or rejoin the elite rankings in 2014. However those on the bubble for Pipe that we should be watching are probably:
– Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
– Bede Durbidge (AUS)
– Brett Simpson (USA)
– Travis Logie (ZAF)
– Miguel Pupo (BRA)
– Adam Melling (AUS)
– Kolohe Andino (USA)
– Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
– Damien Hobgood (USA)
– Alejo Muniz (BRA)
If any of Wilko, Bede or Simpo drop out of the ASP Top 22, they would need their Top 10 Qualification spot, taking away a spot Mitch Coleborn. If two drop, then Dion Atkinson is also out.
Although, if the above were to occur, we need to consider WHO knocked them out of the Top 22. If it is Travis, Melling, Alejo or Kolohe, then they don’t need their Top 10 spot so status quo remains intact.
These are about the only scenarios I can see. I don’t see one of the Top 22 dropping out that is not already above the 10th Qualification rankings position, meaning Coleborn is the last possible qualifier and Willian Cardoso will again be an ASP Top 34 replacement.
Watch the Billabong Pipe Masters webcast LIVE.
