They completed Rd 2 at the Pipemasters this morning in smaller, yet still highly contestable conditions. As Tiago put it after it was called off for the day, “These waves any other contest in the world they’d be running for sure.” A new swell is filling in now, tomorrow could be gangbusters. Stay tuned.

Out of the South Pacific part of Europe, Michel Bourez had a chance of claiming Rookie of the Year with a good result at Pipe, but came up short this morning. He’ll be one of just three ‘Euros’ competing in 2010 (along with Tiags and Mimi), although as first alternate, Joan should get into most events. Photo: ASP/Cestari

More heartache for the Euros today at the Banzai. Tim Boal, who’s had a decent year and came into this event in 28th needed just to make the one heat (against Dayyan Neve). With two minutes to go and needing a 6, Boal threaded a nice Backdoor peeler and came out clean, but it was a smaller wave and never going to be a six. Ever calm afterwards, Tim appeared to be able to rationale what had just happened to his career, although the reality of reembarking on the WQS slog will probably dampen his festive cheer somewhat when it sinks in.

Tim debriefs with Michel Bourez after his loss. Photo: Rosbif Puissance

Aritz also lost today, and won’t be on the WCT next year. Whether or not he decides to go back on the QS (I’ve heard rumours he don’t wanna) or just freesurfs and charges, you can bet your ass on seeing him plenty in SE, coz he’s a legend. Photo: ASP/Cestari

Despite being a tad smaller, some excellent bazas went down. Stand outs for me were Andy Irons, Hank Gaskell, Torrey Meister and lil’ John John Flozza. As I was watching Andy Irons destroy Benjamin Button in the last heat of the day, little Leo from Italy sauntered past ready to paddle out. I told Surfingmag‘s Chas Smith, “See that blond kid? He’s the next Slater. He’s 11 and from Rome.” Smith called out to Leo, who duly jogged over to us. “Are you the next Slater?” Chas demanded. Leo paused for a minute, stared Chas down for a moment and replied politely, “Maybe” in his husky little voice. A buxom 19- year-old blonde from North Carolina who was chilling with us asked in a demi sexual southern slur, “Who’s that guy?” as he jogged off towards the Pipe paddle out, all eleven years old of him. “He’s the next Kelly Slater,” responded Chas.

– Gary Browningstone

REMAINING BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 8: Torrey Meister (HAW) 14.83 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 14.00
Heat 9: Dean Morrison (AUS) 16.93 def. Sion Milosky (HAW) 8.37
Heat 10: Chris Ward (USA) 15.50 def. Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 14.66
Heat 11: Flynn Novak (HAW) 14.17 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 11.84
Heat 12: John John Florence (HAW) 18.90 def. Heitor Alves (BRA) 3.24
Heat 13: Gavin Gillette (HAW) 14.20 def. Mick Campbell (AUS) 8.97
Heat 14: Dayyan Neve (AUS) 14.16 def. Tim Boal (FRA) 13.17
Heat 15: Hank Gaskell (HAW) 16.44 def. Ben Dunn (AUS) 15.67
Heat 16: Andy Irons (HAW) 18.40 def. Drew Courtney (AUS) 9.74

BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Dean Morrison (AUS)
Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Torrey Meister (HAW)
Heat 3: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Andy Irons (HAW)
Heat 4: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. John John Florence (HAW)
Heat 5: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Flynn Novak (HAW)
Heat 6: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Michael Picon (FRA)
Heat 7: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Chris Ward (USA)
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Hank Gaskell (HAW)
Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Liam McNamara (HAW)
Heat 10: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. Roy Powers (HAW)
Heat 11: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Bruce Irons (HAW)
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 13: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Phillip MacDonald (AUS)
Heat 14: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Shane Dorian (HAW)
Heat 15: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Gavin Gillette (HAW)
Heat 16: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW)