Perfect 10! @gabriel1medina? #FijiPro LIVE: https://t.co/EiwHhEJRqX https://t.co/ogSc43yixM
— World Surf League (@wsl) June 15, 2016
Allow me to preface all of this by saying I’m pretty sure Gabs wanted to claim this one. He just didn’t get the chance to. Why’s that? Because immediately after getting spat out of a beautiful screamer to kick off Round 4 of the Fiji Pro he found himself lined up for a second barrel. I’d assume Medina would have claimed at least one of these barrels had he been granted the opportunity, because it’s Gabriel Medina.
One wave, two barrels, no claims; all this coming from the guy who throws his hands on his hips after riding out any and every impressive spin, hack, flip, air or floater in competition. The wave came early in Medina’s heat against Dusty Payne and Michel Bourez, boosting the former World Champ straight into quarterfinal when the judges rewarded him with a perfect 10 (Medina’s second highest scoring wave in the heat was a 4.60, notching five sub-1.00 scores). It’s too easy to suggest any perfect 10 given to Medina at this point is payback for the highway robbery that was Tuesday’s 6.97 for Gabs. But honestly, you can’t knock getting barreled twice in a single wave. Bravo, Gabs.
Are you serious?! @kellyslater #Perfect10 #FijiPro LIVE: https://t.co/EiwHhEJRqX https://t.co/T4s8FJnC0o
— World Surf League (@wsl) June 15, 2016
Not to be outdone, next up was the one and only Kelly Slater. Facing Wiggolly and Adriano in Heat 2 of Round 4, Slater gave us a one-wave-two-barrels moment of his own. That perfect ten topped the 9.77 Kelly had racked up to start off his heat, making it all the more impressive. And yes, Kelly capped it all off with a quick little sell to the judges, hands clasped above his head in a quick prayer to the surf gods.
Two waves, two dudes, twenty points, four barrels, one (kinda) claim.
