BANZAI PIPELINE, Oahu/Hawaii/USA (Wednesday, December 9, 2020) –  The Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons presented by Hydro Flask, the first stop of the 2021 World Surf League (WSL) Men’s Championship Tour (CT), is ON starting at 8:00 a.m. HST today.

After running the Pipe Invitational trials on the first day of the contest window, the world’s best surfers were greeted with sparkling 8-10 foot surf this morning at Banzai Pipeline. The day will start with the third and last surf-off heat between Mikey Wright (AUS) and Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA). Both surfers were out last season due to injuries and were granted the opportunity to fight for a spot on the 2021 CT. After the surf off, the main competition will start with Seeding Round 1.

“We’ve got clean conditions today,” said Marty Thomas, WSL Competition Director. “Surf’s in the 6-8 foot range right now, with very good wind direction for both Backdoor and Pipeline.”

Pipe Invitational 

Joshua Moniz (HAW) and Miguel Tudela (PER) won first and second place, respectively, at the Pipe Invitational and will join the lineup for the Billabong Pipe Masters presented by Hydro Flask as wildcards.

“I feel great, it’s a pretty amazing feeling, being able to just keep surfing at Pipe, my favorite wave in the world,” said Moniz, 2020 Pipe Invitational winner. “This is probably the best heat I’ve ever had. I grew up surfing against all those guys and I know how good they are. I was definitely nervous, but I’m glad it worked out.”

Moniz and Tudela will start off the first day of competition by facing the Brazilian Storm. Moniz will face two-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) and 2015 World Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) in Heat 5 of the Seeding Round, while Tudela will have to go through 2019 World Champion and reigning Pipe Master, Italo Ferreira (BRA) in Heat 6.

Best of Three Heats Surf-Off 

The battle between Mikey Wright (AUS) and Leo Fioravanti (ITA) for a spot on the CT will be decided today on the first heat of the morning. In a new ‘best of three heats’ format, Wright and Fioravanti hit the water twice yesterday, with Wright winning the first heat with a .21-point difference, and Fioravanti taking the second one with a .20-point difference. The winner of today’s heat will earn a spot on the CT as number 34 in the rankings.

The Billabong Pipe Masters pres. by Hydro Flask is broadcast live on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners. The competition will be carried locally in Hawaii by the Spectrum Surf Channel.