John John out of the Pipeline Masters
Many people thought Kelly Slater and John John Florence would play world title spoilers with their expected returns from injury at the Pipeline Masters. Slater is recovering from a foot injury, John John a tweaked knee.
News this morning will see Gabs, Jules, and Filipe breathe a sigh of relief, as with just three days till go time John John has withdrawn from the contest.
"I think I’m close to 100%," announced John John via the WSL, "but I'm not there yet. I noticed this week that I still don’t have full trust in my movements."
"The Pipe Masters is my favorite contest on tour so it’s a really difficult decision, but I am going to withdraw from the event."
John John (WSL/Laurent Masurel)
John John would've started Round 1 in Heat 7 against Wade Carmichael and Griffin Colapinto - fact, sitting at No 20 and needing a big result to secure his CT position, Colapinto is another competitor breathing a sigh of relief.
The WSL hasn't yet announced who will replace John John.
Comments
And yet JJF is still an available pick in Fantasy (swellnet is more up to date than WSL!)
Was the easiest "bottom two" pick ever choosing JJF and Slats
Guess will have to rethink my JJF choice.
This sucks him and Kelly are the only surfers i really care to watch.
Julian is all ways good watch really like to see hime get the Win
( good guy too )
Lets wait and see if Kelly surfs. I'm forecasting a direct correlation between the wave quality and extent of his "injury". Perfect pipe and his foot will be fine. Crappy pipe and said injury will not allow him to compete.
The other guaranteed is who ever wins Pipe or the World Title Kelly will somehow weave himself into the story.
Back to the drawing board. My script said JJ takes out Medina, Parko wins the contest, Julian gets the title and all is well in the world again.
Seth Moniz is in but oddly you can't pick him in Fantasy. He will do well. Followed him around the ments 5 years ago - with his brothers and family. They all ripped.