Gabriel Medina's controversial interference with Caio Ibelli in the final minutes of their Pipe Master heat will carry another penalty if it takes place in 2020, Portuguese website MEO Beachcam reported based on updates to the World Surf League rulebook.

According to them, if a priority interference is made within the last five  minutes into the series, instead of removing the second best wave, the best wave will now be subtracted.

On the other hand, if an intentional blocking attitude is observed in the last five minutes, the judges could also disqualify the surfer.

Last year, WSL judges ruled that Medina used the tactic to surf that wave and not that he had a blocking or unsportsmanlike attitude and therefore was only penalized with interference.

The result of that series with the new criteria would not have changed since Ibelli added 1,13 in his two best waves and Medina in his worst wave had 1,13.

 

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New article available on our website: Historical: Medina interfered for fun to secure passage to the quarterfinals - And left the surfing world frozen. "I had to play the game," said the Brazilian. Click here to find out more. Video: @wsl

A publication shared by DUKE (@duke_surf) the 19 Dic 2019 has 1: 06 PST