After Gabriel Medina's incredible sweep of the European leg, the 2017 World Title showdown at the Billabong Pipe Masters is now a four-man sprint to the wire.
John John Florence remains the current Jeep Leader, giving him the edge over Medina, Jordy Smith and Julian Wilson. But a good look inside the numbers reveals how close this race is, and it's closer than you think.
John John Florence will be trying to clinch his second World Title in his own backyard. He's long been a favorite when competing at the break where he grew up, yet he has yet to win. - WSL / KC
Who Needs What to Win
- If John John makes the Final of the Billabong Pipe Masters he wins the 2017 World Title.
- If Gabriel Medina wins the event, he'll can win the World Title if Florence finishes no better than 3rd.
- If Florence gets 9th, Medina can clinch the Title with a Finals appearance. Jordy Smith can do the same with a win.
- If John John gets 13th or 25th, Medina needs just a 5th to clinch the Title, Smith a 2nd, and Julian a win.
Gabriel Medina celebrated his 2014 World Title with a Finals appearance at Pipeline. He finished runner-up there again in 2015. - WSL / Kelly Cestari
This story gets even more interesting when looking at each contender's track record at Pipe. Behold, the breakdown.
Contenders History of Billabong Pipe Masters Results 2011 - 2016
John John Florence: 5th, 13th, 2nd, 5th, 9th, 5th
Gabriel Medina: 5th, 9th, 13th, 2nd, 2nd, 13th
Jordy Smith: 13th, 13th, INJ, 25th, 13th, 5th
Julian Wilson: 13th, 13th, 5th, 1st, 13th, 13th
As you can see, Wilson is the only contender with a win at Pipe. Florence, meanwhile, finished runner-up in 2013, which was his only trip past the Quarterfinals in six appearances. Medina had back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2014 and 2015. Smith, meanwhile, has never made it past the Quarterfinals.
Naturally, Pipeline will have its say in the matter. There's some heavy looking surf on the horizon as the event window approaches. Stay tuned for a possible start on December 8.