Hawaii Beat
? ASP / KIRSTIN SCHOLTZ
JOHN JOHN FINISHES NINTH IN PORTUGAL: Hawaii's John John Florence lost his Round 5 heat to eventual champion Kai Otton of Australia on Thursday at the Rip Curl Pro Portugal presented by Moche. Otton put up a two-wave score of 14.60 to outdistance Florence's 12.16. Otton went on to defeat two-time world champ Mick Fanning of Australia in the quarterfinals and reigning world champ Joel Parkinson in the semis. Otton then took out tour rookie of the year Nat Young of Santa Cruz, Calif., in three- to five-foot waves at Supertubos. The world tour turns its attention now to the Pipe Masters, the final stop. Fanning and Kelly Slater of Florida remain in contention for the world title. Fanning must finish third or better to claim the title. Slater must win it and have Fanning finish no better than equal fifth. "I'm stoked that I made some points here, it puts me in a better position going into Pipe and I'm excited to go to Hawaii. I'll do the whole Triple Crown so this could be fun!" Fanning said.
JOHN JOHN FINISHES NINTH IN PORTUGAL: Hawaii's John John Florence lost his Round 5 heat to eventual champion Kai Otton of Australia on Thursday at the Rip Curl Pro Portugal presented by Moche. Otton put up a two-wave score of 14.60 to outdistance Florence's 12.16. Otton went on to defeat two-time world champ Mick Fanning of Australia in the quarterfinals and reigning world champ Joel Parkinson in the semis. Otton then took out tour rookie of the year Nat Young of Santa Cruz, Calif., in three- to five-foot waves at Supertubos. The world tour turns its attention now to the Pipe Masters, the final stop. Fanning and Kelly Slater of Florida remain in contention for the world title. Fanning must finish third or better to claim the title. Slater must win it and have Fanning finish no better than equal fifth. "I'm stoked that I made some points here, it puts me in a better position going into Pipe and I'm excited to go to Hawaii. I'll do the whole Triple Crown so this could be fun!" Fanning said.
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