Billabong Pipeline Masters Back ON for Round 2, Round 3 on Standby

Pictured: Bruce Irons (HAW), 30, wildcard into the Billabong Pipeline Masters, was dominant yesterday for Day 1 of the event, and will look to continue the momentum through the latter rounds of the event. Credit: © ASP/ CI/ SCHOLTZ via GETTY IMAGES

PIPELINE, Oahu/Hawaii (Friday, December 11, 2009) - The Billabong Pipeline Masters, the third and final event in the Vans Triple Crown (an ASP Specialty Series), is LIVE this morning at the infamous Hawaiian reefbreak of the Banzai Pipeline in four-to-six (1.5 - 2 metre) barreling surf. Event organizers have opted to complete the remaining nine heats of Round 2 with Round 3 on standby.

The Billabong Pipeline Masters marks stop No. 10 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, and will decide both the 2009 ASP World Title and the qualifiers for the 2010 ASP Dream Tour.

Yesterday's action packed competition saw Frenchman Michael Picon (FRA), 30, secure the event's highest heat total of a near-flawless 19.76 out of 20 with precise backside barrel-riding skills at the perilous wave of Backdoor. In addition to the European's impressive performance, several local Pipeline specialists dispatched numerous ASP Dream Tour surfers while advancing into the top seeded round of the Billabong Pro.

Up first this morning is current ASP World No. 16, Kai Otton (AUS), 29, up against wildcard Torrey Meister (HAW), 21.

Get billabong surf clothing, billabong board bags and billabong tail pads at the store.

The Billabong Pipeline Masters will be webcast LIVE via www.billabongpro.com and www.triplecrownofsurfing.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

Billabong Pipeline Masters Round 2 Results:

Heat 1: Liam McNamara (HAW) 7.94 def. Chris Davidson (AUS) 6.83
Heat 2: Roy Powers (HAW) 10.26 def. Gabe Kling (USA) 10.06
Heat 3: Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 10.40 def. Greg Emslie (ZAF) 3.83
Heat 4: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 12.00 def. Mason Ho (HAW) 10.67
Heat 5: Bruce Irons (HAW) 15.67 def. Tim Reyes (USA) 13.93
Heat 6: Shane Dorian (HAW) 11.17 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 8.33
Heat 7: Michael Picon (FRA) 19.76 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 16.73

Remaining Billabong Pipeline Masters Round 2 Match-ups:

Heat 8: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Torrey Meister (HAW)
Heat 9: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Sion Milosky (HAW)
Heat 10: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Flynn Novak (HAW)
Heat 12: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. John John Florence (HAW)
Heat 13: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. Gavin Gillette (HAW)
Heat 14: Tim Boal (FRA) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 15: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Hank Gaskell (HAW)
Heat 16: Drew Courtney (AUS) Andy Irons (HAW)

Billabong Pipeline Masters Round 3 Match-ups:

Heat 1: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 3: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 4: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 5: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. TBA
Heat 6: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 7: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. TBA
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 10: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 11: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. TBA
Heat 13: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 14: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 15: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 16: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. TBA