Joel Parkinson won in Haleiwa

Moniz, Silva and Christie have guaranteed themselves a place in the elite. Mateus Herdy, 17, finished second and made it clear that he will soon be taking the place of Medina and Toledo.


November 18, 2018
|EN News
|POR DUKE

In the penultimate competition of his career as a full-time professional, 2012 world champion Joel Parkinson won the first jewel of the Triple Crown of Surfing, the Hawaiian Pro, which concluded yesterday in one-meter waves in Haleiwa.

Parko showed his magic at its best, establishing a very fluid, classic and powerful surfing to beat the new young wonder of Brazilian surfing, Mateus Herdy who in an act of daring used the lips of Ali'i Beach Park to fly and was well rewarded for it but not enough to beat the veteran.

In the end the result was this:
1st: Joel Parkinson  17,36 points
2nd: Mateus Herdy 15,83
3rd: Ricardo Christie 15,83
4th: Deivid Silva 15,36

“I’m impressed! I started to feel it, to feel like I wanted to surf another heat,” Parko said after winning the tournament. The Australian, who announced his retirement earlier this year, added: “I actually really enjoyed this tournament, that was the key for me at this stage of my career, to enjoy this, and this was enjoyable. I’ll miss moments like this, but I’m happy that they’re coming to an end.”

Far from retirement and rather thinking about competing as much as possible, the following positions were determined: Herdy, Christie, Silva and the semi-finalists Jessé Mendes, Pat Gudauskas, Leo Fioravanti and Seth Moniz, went to qualify or stay on the world tour; some achieved it and others came close.

Moniz was announced as an official qualifier, but not Deivid Silva, who is also indisputably going to be on the 2019 tour. The same thing happened the day before with Peterson Crisanto, who reached the quarter-finals.

New Zealand's Ricardo Christie was also not officially announced but with 17700 and two double qualifiers above him, it is unlikely that he will be demoted.

Meanwhile, Italian Leo Fioravanti reached the 16600 mark and is in a comfortable position to seal the victory at Sunset or, with a bit of luck, already be guaranteed with what he has done.

The rest of the spots, in a bubble that will burst in the final stage, are being fought over by Jadson Andre, Ethan Ewing, Jorgan Couzinet and Mateus Herdy (who would be the last to qualify if the tour ends today).

Those who remain, up to around No. 80, could get closer to the qualifying zone with a win at Sunset, which begins its waiting period on November 25.

Parkinson's clean, powerful lines were more popular with the judges than Mateus Herdy's aerials. All photos: WSL/Keoki
Parko is going for his fourth Triple Crown.
This little boy, Mateus Herdy, 17 years old, has everything to be fighting for the title in a couple of years alongside Medina and Toledo.
Kiwi warrior Ricardo Christie has returned to the elite.
Deivid Silva has qualified for the 2019 tour. The Brazilian showed that he is not just another small wave specialist, he surfed well and made it clear that he can handle the pressure.
Seth Moniz made it to the semi-finals and that was enough to secure his place on the 2019 World Tour.
Brazil's Jesse Mendes, who had a poor year on the CT, is looking to qualify in Hawaii. His fifth place in Haleiwa left him just outside the competition, in 13th place.
Patrick Gudauskas rode the best wave of the tournament, scoring 9,3 and losing, needing a 2,6 to make it to the grand final. The result still left him on the brink; he needs to change a 600 at Sunset.
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