The DK event went off today in pristine 3-4ft waves at Pipeline on Oahu's North Shore.
Our only representation in this event was Sacha Specker, who made up for lack of compatriots with smooth, powerful technical surfing in every heat he surfed.
Surfing all the way from Round 1, Sacha really stood out as the most technical rider of the day, although this turned out to be his downfall in the 6 man final, when it was the barrel that really counted.
That's not to say Sacha did not give it absolute stick, he managed to snag a bomb Pipe wave on the peak, turn hard off the bottom into the biggest wave of the day, driving so deep he just got clipped on exit. My heart sank not because he didn't make it but because I knew it would of been a very high scoring wave if he did!
Nevertheless a 5th in the first world tour event of 2010 is no easy feat and we're incredibly proud of our Spex, lets hope he smashes the rest of the tour - I have my money on him!
Results:
1. David Hubbard
2. Kim Feast
3. Ricky Alvarez
4. Bud Miyamoto
5. Sacha Specker
6. Jacob Pembrook
Hubbard won The Foam Company Drop Knee Pipeline Pro contest yesterday at the Banzai Pipeline.
The one-day event was run in clean wave-face heights that ranged from 6 to 12 feet.
"Today was perfect conditions for drop knee," said Hubbard, 27. "And the level of competition is really high, so you had to be at your best in every heat."
When it comes to drop-knee bodyboarding -- which requires the competitors to ride bodyboards with a one-knee stance --Hubbard showed why he is regarded as the best in the world.
He is the three-time defending world champion of the drop knee world tour. Last year, he won all three contests on the tour.
Yesterday's contest was the first stop on the 2010 world tour.
"I definitely feel like I have pressure on me," Hubbard said. "I always feel like I have to make the finals at every contest."
His abilities were pushed to the limit yesterday.
He trailed for most of the 25-minute heat, then took the lead with around five minutes remaining with a score of 8.1 (out of 10) for a nice barrel ride. Hubbard finished with a two-wave score of 15.2, which was enough to edge Australia's Kim Feast.
"He's such a good contest rider," Feast said of Hubbard. "Maybe it's the Hawaiian genetics. He's got these waves to hone his skills on and today it was perfect."
Ricky Alvarez of the Big Island held the lead early in the heat, and ultimately finished in third place.
Bud Miyamoto of Kaua'i was fourth, Sacha Specker of South Africa was fifth, and Jacob Pembrook of Kaua'i was sixth.
Hubbard received $1,500, which was fitting since he paid the $5,000 deposit fee out of his own account to secure the contest. Last year, there was no drop knee contest at Pipeline due to a lack of sponsorship money.
"I just wanted to make sure we got a chance to surf Pipe," Hubbard said.
Hubbard and his older brother, Jeff, are still in contention in the Turbo Bodyboards Pipeline Pro, which needs one more day of competition.
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Comments
Craig Trilivas 26th February 2010 17:11
Word Spex u killed all the heats that I saw live bro jeepers!
Definately the most technical and controlled in all heats i viewed.
Big up china and all the best for the rest of the tour, Ape Town boys r all behind u in full effect!!!
doclach 25th February 2010 13:33
Spex you ripped man. Seriously tore gear apart. The barrels were pinching bad and often today. The odd one opened up and spat properly, but not many for what pipe can normally turn on IMO. The lads are still talking about you and your skilled riding here in Oz. Sick comp line-up, check out the freakin' names. to be seen and truly noticed amongst that crowd speaks buckets - like the ones you threw. Go the dragon tail bru. (top report Jerry btw)
Doc
