“I thought I had the score on my last wave, that’s why I came in, but it wasn’t enough,” said Medina. “It’s a competition, you know, it happens.” It happens, Gabriel? Given the implications of this massive misstep, to sum it up as a simple mistake is a gigantic understatement. I think I can speak for everyone when I say we were all a little confused when Medina exited the water with two minutes left in his round three heat with Brett Simpson. Was he swapping boards? Was he confused on time and thought the heat ended? Was he out of tune and in need of an encouraging butt slap from his step-dad Charlie? Nope.
He thought a 5.33 and a 6.73 was enough to trump Simpo and hit the showers early. First, two minutes is a lot of time, and the prime conditions at Supertubos could have easily enabled Medina to improve on both of his existing scores. Second, Simpo should never be underestimated. He may not have the best record this year, but he is a solid surfer who is capable of big scores. Had it not been for this mistake, Gabriel Medina would probably be lying on a bed of Brazilian reais and sipping Dom Pérignon champagne from the ASP World Title trophy at this very moment. Unfortunately for him, Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning are one step closer to snagging the World Title from Medina as we draw closer to the last contest of the 2014 World Championship Tour. I would have never expected such a careless error from Medina, given his track record this year. I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed. You should never count your chickens before they hatch.
