World number 1 and top seed at the Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa on Hawaii’s North Shore, John John Florence, the local favourite and recently crowned WSL World Champion for 2016 took the narrowest of wins, placing equal first on points (15.66) with Portugal’s Frederico Morais but on a countback to the highest scoring single wave, Florence took the win with an 8.83 top scoring ride compared to Morais’ 8.33.
The win for Florence places him in perfect position to win the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing which includes the three major Hawaiian events, Hawaiian Pro, Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach which begins next week and the the Billabong Pipe Masters which begins early December.
The 2nd and 3rd placed results for European surfers Frederico Morais (Portugal) and Marc Lacomare (FRA) were outstanding results for both surfers who both have excellent chances of qualifying for the elite World Surf League Championship Tour for 2017. Both surfers will require excellent results at Sunset Beach next week to realise qualification, but both are now serious contenders.
Australia’s Adrian Buchan was the top placed Australian placing 4th in the final which is also a great result for Buchan and also puts him in an excellent position to challenge for the Vans Triple Crown.
Brazilian Jadson Andre was the highest placed Sth American surfer, placing = 5th overall, narrowly edged out in the Semifinals.