Steamer Lane Draws to a Close

PARKO and Kelly, the two title contenders are still in the mix at the O'Neill Coldwater Classic at Steamer Lane after a third day. Rounds 3 and 4 were decided in glorious sunshine and Kelly Slater and Joel Parkinson's parallel progress through the heats pushed the title deciding moment further up the Pipeline heat hierarchy. Parkinson's cautious wave choice allowed the Australian to notch the day's highest score of 9.50 for a powerful combination of turns, aiding in his advancement to the Quarterfinals. "It was really slow at the start and I didn't get a wave for about 11 minutes," Parkinson said. "That 9.5 was a good wave. I waited. I figured I wasn't going to waste my time on small waves. I'd rather lose than see someone get the wave that I wanted." Check out the heats on demand. © 2013 O'Neill

The second day of competition at Steamer Lane saw Round 2 decide the first losers and eight heats of Round 3. Upset of the day saw Matt Wilkinson knock John John Florence out of contention for the World Title. "I know I can get big scores out here and I kind of know which waves are good," Wilkinson said. "It's a really tricky wave and there are so many elements that can make a good wave bad. It was a relief when I got that 9. I started off on a wave that I thought was perfect and there was so much wonky stuff going on. I just decided to wait for a bomb and when that one was coming I was super nervous. I knew if I just surfed it I'd get an 8. It was a perfect wave and I got a good score so I'm stoked." *Don't forget all the heats on demand. © 2013 O'Neill