1. John John Florence (HAW): Newly crowned WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) confirmed his dominance on the CT with a commanding win against Jadson Andre (BRA) and event wildcard Gavin Beschen (HAW). The Round 1 Heat 6 match-up witnessed Florence deliver two excellent rides, an 8.83 and a 7.83, to take the win and skip elimination Round 2.

2. Gabriel Medina (BRA): The 2014 WSL Champion and defending Vans Triple Crown of Surfing winner, put on a show at Pipe in his Round 1 heat against rookie Kanoa Igarashi (USA) and former Pipe Master Bruce Irons (HAW). Medina unleashed big backside hacks at Backdoor to earn a 15.10 combined heat score, leaving Igarashi to chase a 9.43 and Irons to turn in two new scores

3. Jordy Smith (ZAF), current No. 3 on the Jeep Leaderboard, will advance through to Round 3 after defeating Keanu Asing (HAW) and Finn McGill (HAW) in Heat 4. Smith came into the heat with momentum from his recent victory at the Vans World Cup of Surfing. The South African showcased his power surfing to earn a 5.27 and 7.33 for the win. Asing trailed close behind Smith, but could not find the required second wave score.

4. Matt Wilkinson (AUS), current World No. 4 on the Jeep Leaderboard, narrowly clinched the win against Frederico Morais (PRT) and Nat Young (USA) in Round 1 Heat 3. Morais, current leader of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing and qualifier on the 2017 CT, held the lead in the dying minutes of the heat with a 13.27 combined score, but a buzzer beater wave by Wilkinson secured his win with only a 0.07 point difference. Wilkinson will advance to Round 3, while Young and Morais surf again in Round 2.

Other surfers included – Julian Wilson (AUS) winning Heat 1, Frederico Morias (Portugal – 2nd place) – more to follow….

Billabong Pipe Masters Round 1 Results: To date – listed 1st to 3rd

Heat 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.07, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 8.60, Ryan Callinan (AUS) 8.50

Heat 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.40, Kolohe Andino (USA) 9.33, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 5.40

Heat 3: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 13.34, Frederico Morais (PRT) 13.27, Nat Young (USA) 12.40

Heat 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.60, Keanu Asing (HAW) 10.83, Finn McGill (HAW) 10.50

Heat 5: Gabriel Medina (BRA)15.10, Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 11.20, Bruce Irons (HAW) 3.40

Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW) 16.66, Jadson Andre (BRA) 10.22, Gavin Beschen (HAW) 7.84

Heat 7: Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 11.27, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.54, Conner Coffin (USA) 10.27

Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Stuart Kennedy (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA)

Heat 9: Filipe Toledo (BRA), Josh Kerr (AUS), Adam Melling (AUS)

Heat 10: Kelly Slater (USA), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Kai Otton (AUS)