Kelly Slater vs. Andy Irons in epic Pipeline final? It's still possible
Hawaii's Andy Irons narrowly got by Australia's Dean Morrison in the last minutes of their final third-round heat Wednesday, to keep possible a showdown with Kelly Slater in the final of the season-ending Billabong Pipeline Masters.
Today is an off-day because of small, stormy surf. But the event might run to a conclusion Friday.
Slater, a nine-time world champion and five-time Pipeline Masters champion, is pitted in a fourth-round heat against Australia's Kieren Perrow. Irons, a three-time world champion and four-time Pipeline Masters champion, goes up against Hawaii's Evan Valiere.
Both should survive those heats.
Fans might recall the epic four-man final on Dec. 14, 2006, won by Irons after he posted a perfect 10 late in the heat to also claim the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing title. If this year's Slater-Irons showdown materializes and even partially resembles that one, fans are in for a treat. Below is a video recap of the 2006 final. Enjoy.
-- Pete Thomas
Photo: Andy Irons gets tubed on a backdoor Pipeline right and squeaks past Dean Morrison in the third round of the Billabong Pipeline Masters. Credit: ASP Tostee/Covered Images
I've heard people say how unbeatable Kelly Slater is. After viewing your clips at Pipeline, is it fair to say Irons rides better there? With that, if Slater ever does retire, is Irons a shoe-in to take the top spot and dominate like Slater has?
Posted by: jackson | December 11, 2008 at 11:14 PM
That is just a stupid comment. Irons can't hold Slaters jock.
Posted by: blac | December 12, 2008 at 03:45 PM
how can you say that irons surfs better at pipe??? you cant make a call like that, ex. if you are baseing in on one clip you saw. Slater surfs wayy better than irons does!!!!!!!
Posted by: j gulijaa | May 26, 2009 at 12:27 PM