Surf Scene’s view on title race

Stephanie Gilmore might have won the women’s WSL crown but there is still a lot of other things to play out, as Surf Scene writes.

WHILE Stephanie Gilmore’s seventh world crown may be taking the attention, there’s also a men’s title race to be played out.

The men follow the women at the infamous Banzai from December 8-20 for the Billabong Pipe Masters on the North Shore of Oahu.

Brazil’s Gabriel Medina is No.1 seed and odds-on to claim his second world title, leading by 4740 points from Australia’s Julian Wilson and Brazil’s Felipe Toledo.

However in Wilson’s favour, the Coolum contender won the 2014 Pipe Masters from Medina and both Medina and Toledo are yet to win at Pipe.

If Medina finishes first or second he wins the world title, but if Medina finishes third Wilson and Filipe Toledo will need to finish first to win the world title.

Joel Parkinson of Australia advances to the semifinals after placing second in quarterfinal heat 4 ​of the 2018 Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii, USA. Picture: HEFF/WSL

If Medina finishes fifth to 25th, Wilson and Toledo will need a second or first at Pipe.

Once again the winner will take the world title.

No prizes for my biased pick but Wilson really deserves a maiden world title.

He has single-handedly taken on the Brazilians and is our only line of defence against the Brazilian storm.

Adding to the excitement is the return of seven-time Pipeline Master champion and 11-time world champ Kelly Slater, and two-time world champion John John Florence is yet to win a Pipe Masters.

Meanwhile, 2012 world champion Joel Parkinson is chasing a fourth Hawaiian triple crown victory to retire on an amazing note.

The 2012 Pipe Masters champion could be the ultimate world title spoiler at his swan song WSL event.