Happening Now: Follow John John Florence as He Battles for an Olympic Berth
The Billabong Pipe Masters is happening with Hawai‘i's Seth Moniz just eliminated by Kelly Slater. If Florence can advance, a tense semifinal awaits.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games has been rescheduled to begin July 23, 2021 and end Aug. 8, 2021. The Paralympic Games have also been moved to Aug. 24, 2021.
Billabong Pipe Masters Finals Day
Finals Day is ON.
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These are live updates from senior editor Don Wallace's twitter page. Hit refresh for the latest.
This is a live blog, which was last updated on Thursday, December 19 at 1:45 p.m. Please scroll to the bottom of the page and work your way up to start from the beginning.
Florence grabs a 4.83 to close on Medina then nails another barrel and Medina hits a bomb seconds later @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Slater relieved as Florence now in trouble, paddles out pic.twitter.com/MVnForjU6X
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Gabriel Medina comes out firing with 8.40 wave after John John Florence warms up with a 1.63 and a 0.93… Too early to say Uh-oh. But uh-oh. @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
So does Florence have to beat Gabriel Medina in semi to nab Olympic spot? The path is steep, even for Florence. Yet that way lies greatness @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Down to the wire, Kelly Slater jumps from 2.07 to 7.74 with priority. Freestone ahead w 9.26 and announcers say Slater has faked him going into bad waves @honolulumag @wsl Slater can win it now and Freestone blows last wave and SLATER tube w seconds to go wins @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
4:30 to go Slater finally gets a big wave and a complete barrel so Freestone has let his advantage slip away @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Freestone freefall wastes opportunity to clinch wave but Slater bungles a small snapper then eats his third tube @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
If Slater can’t dig his way out of this one, John John Florence will secure his Olympic spot. Even if he loses his semi with Mean Gabby Medina. Fun stuff, inventing nicknames. Understanding popularity @Twitter Mulling #whitehouse run @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Slater in trouble—or positioned for more greatness? A big score for Freestone at 7.33 as Slater eaten by another tube, losing priority. Plenty of time: 15 minutes. Freestone also possible Olympic spot @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
2.07 Slater v Freestone 2.73… small wave scoring… @honolulumag @wsl announcers saying Slater will retire if he wins Pipe and asking why? 47 and ripping… Ah, but Slater eaten by prime tube and Freestone grand another @honolulumag #wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Andino out, Colapinto into the semis. Slater is taking on Aussie Freestone. Both in close outs so low scoring. Slater can win Olympic spot with a win and a Florence loss in next heat. Florence wins w a Slater loss. Good choreography @wsl prime time drama @honolulumag
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
More than Florence v Slater at Pipe Masters. Top US Surfer Kolohe Andino is in semi and so is rising US start Griffin Colapinto. Both hold slim leads. Meanwhile Italo Ferreira leapfrogs Yago Dora, showing why he’s a world title contender. @honolulumag @wsl #italoferreira
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
A tough draw for John john Florence as he faces Gabriel Medina in a semi. Medina wins world title by going through Florence. JJF rival for Olympic spot Kelly Slater has it easier v Jack Freestone. Who’s peaking will tell @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Tube closed on Soli Bailey who could’ve closed out John John Florence chance for Olympic spot. Bracing! We’re crushing our phone! Now it’s on to semis… where Slater awaits. @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Time running out for Florence and Bailey: 2.12 left and no waves in sight. Bailey has priority. He trails 3.33 to 5.66. On minute left. He only need 2.84. Waves are here @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Florence pops another for a boost to 5.66 with 16.04 to go over 3.33 for Bailey @honolulumag @wsl Florence has to win this heat to keep Olympic hopes alive
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Florence not safe at 4.26 to Soli Bailey 3.33 as waves slow again. Belli hasn’t come in as defeat due to blockage by Medina sinks in. @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Florence not safe at 4.26 to Soli Bailey 3.33 as waves slow again. Belli hasn’t come in as defeat due to blockage by Medina sinks in. @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
WHOA world No 1 Gabriel Medina deliberately interferes with Belli knowing he can win even if waves disqualified. Nasty and not typical surf etiquette, but he goes straight to beach acting like a winner. @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
SEE ALSO: 11 Things Locals Need to Know About 2020’s First-Ever Olympic Surf Competition at the Tokyo Games
Surf rising at last after frustrating morning at Pipe. Bailey first wave notches 3.33 to Florence’s 4.26. Both are in lineup with heat 5 surfers, world contender Gabriel a Medina and Caio Belli @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Seth Moniz takes Slater to the limit with a last minute tube and cutback. But he falls 6.20 to 7.33 leaving John John Florence the last Hawaii man contending for Olympic spot with Slater. Florence surfing now with lead @honolulumag @wsl @billabong
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Moniz gets 1.77 score in a very slow heat with a maddening lull then Slater grabs first good Backdoor tube as Beach roars. It’s what he does. @honolulumag @wsl #slater #47yearoldswhorock #tokyoolympics on the line #moniz #hawaii
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Surf at Pipeline isn’t big or heavy but tubes are still the criteria, although aerials are welcome. It’s coming up for John John Florence’s heat which means great theater to come if Slater wins this heats. @honolulumag @wsl #surf #northshore #billabongpipemasters #hawaii
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Rookie Seth Moniz is Hawaii’s new hot surf hope, ripping and playing it smart all year long. Now facing 47 year old 11time world champ Kelly Slater. If Slater wins he snuffs Moniz’ Olympic torch @honolulumag @wsl #BillabongPipeMasters #hawaii #writer #surfer
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Slater v Moniz, Pipe Masters @honolulumag @wsl pic.twitter.com/ImC0VEUp8y
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Pipe Masters today: Hawaii’s Seth Moniz v Kelly Slater up in 20 minutes, Heat Four. Whoev loses is out of Olympics. Heat 6 in an hour JJ Florence v Aussie Soli Bailey. Florence needs win obv @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Pipe Masters small glassy surf but a go to finish the contest due to poor conditions for rest of week. Heat One: Italo Ferreira is ahead with 12.30 to go. He’s in running for world title @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Pipe Masters Heat one Italo Ferreira in fight for world title with fellow Brazilians. Right now vs Peterson Christano who can play spoiler. John John Florence up midday, looks like. Surf is small and glassy @honolulumag @wsl
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
Billabong Pipe Masters is on with world title and Olympic berths at stake. Hawaii’s John John Florence can complete injury comeback for Tokyo but Kelly Slater is tight too @honolulumag @wsl #surf #hawaii pic.twitter.com/YhFrVkEjfu
— Don Wallace (@don212wallace) December 19, 2019
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