Billabong Pipeline Masters expected to resume Wednesday

HALEIWA—The arrival of a new west, northwest swell is expected to see the Billabong Pipeline Masters resume Wednesday December 15.

“The surf will increase over Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday, with head high to occasional overhead sets, as new west, northwest and north swells move in and top out,” said Surfline.com forecaster Kevin Wallis. “Conditions look good during that time as well with light wind.” 

The most likely scenario is that the contest will get underway Wednesday morning as the new swell fills in and continues to a finish on Thursday, when the peak of the swell will arrive.

When competition gets underway, the question of the hour will be if Joel Parkinson can win his third round heat and become only the second person in history to win a “Triple-Triple”—three consecutive Vans Triple Crown titles. Parkinson leads the ratings with a huge comeback after a severe injury to his foot kept him out of the 2010 ASP Pro Tour season.

Ten-time world champion Kelly Slater will also enter the fray at round three stage.

The women’s Vans Duel for the Jewel—a one-heat duel for the $10,000 women’s Triple Crown title between Tyler Wright (AUS), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Coco Ho (HAW), and Alana Blanchard (HAW), is also scheduled to run tomorrow, surf permitting.

For the latest information on the Billabong Pipe Masters, visit http://triplecrownofsurfing.com/billabongpipemasters.