| Neymara Carvalho wins the 2011 Women's Pipeline Pro |
| Saturday, 19 February 2011 18:39 |
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Neymara Carvalho has conquered the 2011 Women's Pipeline Pro. The Brazilian bodyboarder won the main Hawaiian title for the second time. Carvalho beated Eunate Aguirre, Stephanie Pettersen and Minami Hatekayama. The deciding moment occurred midway through the final when Pettersen eyed-up a Backdoor right hander, decided not to go and Carvalho pounced – the score was one of the highest in the clash. Pipeline’s notorious Backdoor has revealed glimpses of its tubular best, with some high-scoring barrel rides going down on Day 2 of the opening 2011 IBA World Tour event in Hawaii. In the Men's competition, the day’s best wave belonged to visiting Aussie rider, Tom Rigby, who was awarded a near perfect 9.9 out of a possible perfect 10 for a long disappearing act in Round 4. The score saw Rigby advance easily into Round 5 along with French rider Julien Miremont and caused the elimination of local Hawaiians Will Petrovic and Trevor Kam. Tim Hamilton was another big-scorer, locking in a 9.0 ride to cause the shock elimination of two Pipeline Pro standouts, Andrew Lester and Chris Won. Lester, who won the event aged 20 in 2000, and Won, a regular in the local line-up, were bundled out unceremoniously in equal 65th and equal 73rd respectively. Comeback King, Brian Wise, continued on his rampage, registering an 8.5 high ride for a nice Backdoor drain-pipe which saw him advance into Round 5 behind local Keahi Parker. Wise has not competed in three years and in that time suffered back, neck and femur injuries in a serious car accident. A new outlook, a fiancé and determination to succeed have reversed his fortunes and his success through four rounds has firmed him as a sentimental favourite heading into the last day. "It’s about perseverance and staying alive and getting through this contest, I got stuck in a couple, I made one. I got a nice long ride, it opened up and it just barrelled the whole way. I’ve had a couple close ones, but I’m hanging in there, and keeping the dream alive and just doing what needs to be done. Every heat is a step closer," said Wise. Australian, Mitch Rawlins, revered as the most exciting young performer on the world stage, made his first appearance in the IBA Pipeline Pro in Round 5 and wasted no time in going for the big moves. The 27 year-old blasted into a looping reverse and stuck some critical rolls over the shallow reef to secure his place in Round 6 behind early standout Sacha Specker of South Africa. Women’s Final 1st Neymara Carvalho (BRA) 2000pts Men'sRound 6 Ht41: Damien King (AUS), Jarrett Lau (Haw), Bud Miyamoto (Haw), Nathan Branch (AUS)
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