About to turn 50 years old (on February 11th), 11-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater won this Saturday (5th) the first stage of the 2022 season of the World Surfing Tour, which was held in Pipeline (Hawaii) . To achieve this feat, the American overcame Hawaiian Seth Moniz in the decision.
With the title, achieved by beating the spot by 18.77 (with a 9.00 when completing a backdoor tube) to 12.53, the biggest name in surfing history became the oldest athlete to win a stage of the world circuit.
Congratulations, @kellyslater winner of the Billabong Pro Pipeline.@ billabong1973 pic.twitter.com/g9fuk2PHt6
— World Surf League (@wsl) February 6, 2022
Brazilian absence
If the final had Slater’s brilliance, it also had the absence of athletes from Brazil. The day began with the quarterfinals, where Miguel Pupo left Peruvian Lucca Mesinas on the way and Caio Ibelli was better than newcomer Samuel Pupo in the dispute between Brazilians.
In the semifinals Slater didn’t give Miguel Pupo a chance, and Caio Ibelli fell to Seth Moniz.
