Gabriel Medina has been on an absolute tear this year. It seems as though he’s on a mission to prove to the world that yes, he can surf incredibly well in any condition. With wins in Australia, Fiji, and Tahiti, he’s currently in the pole position in the race for the world title. Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater is hard on his heels, with Australian powerhouses Parko and Fanning taking up third and fourth place, respectively.
Medina’s got that killer mix of hunger and talent – either of which, on their own, wouldn’t net the young Brazilian his first world title. But put them together, and you’ve got a recipe for the next big thing: but Slater’s not quite ready to roll over. He’s logged a lot of time in this position, and you can guarantee that he’s going to do everything in his power to make it twelve.
Heading in to the back half of the tour, Slater talks about just what it’s going to take to knock his most recent, fiercest competitor off the top of the podium.
