Jeremy Flores Wins Billabong Pipe Masters – Soft Boards
Jeremy Flores (FRA) 22, won the Billabong Pipe Masters in memory of Andy Irons over Kieren Perrow (AUS), 33, in a come-from-behind victory in firing four-to-six foot (1.5 metre) backdoor barrels, marking his first career ASP World Tour victory.
Joel Parkinson (AUS), 29, was another to stand atop the Billabong Pipe Masters podium, clinching his third, consecutive Vans Triple Crown title to conclude the 2010 ASP World Tour season.
Flores, who was in need of a solid 8.60 single-wave score in the dying moments, clawed his way back into the Final against Perrow and threaded the needle on a beautiful righthand barrel to earn a 9.37. Making history as the first European to ever win the Billabong Pipe Masters in the event’s 40 year history, Flores punctuated his season with his career-best result.
“This is such a dream,” Flores said. “I’ve been coming to Hawaii for so long and this is my favorite place in the world, the waves, the people, everything. I just knew I couldn’t give up in the Final even though I was behind. It’s the Pipe Masters and it’s everything. I’m so stoked.”
Flores’ impressive showing in the Final wasn’t his only come-from-behind win of the day, as the young Frenchman also topped reigning 10-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 38, in the dying minutes of their Semifinals match-up, marking a significant turnaround in the young Frenchman’s career.
“I’m so stoked to be here and to have made this result,” Flores said. “I’ve been surfing a lot again in all conditions, small or big and I kind of lost that at the start of the year. I think that’s what has helped my rhythm. I’ve just been surfing three times a day no matter what the conditions are and I think that’s the biggest thing that changed this year for me. I just feel like I’ve found my rhythm again.”
Flores Finished at No. 9 on the ASP World Tour Rankings for 2010.
