Kieren Perrow Wins The 2011 Billabong Pipe Masters

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A Dedicated Man

He came to the North Shore in 1997 and dedicated himself to learning Pipe and Backdoor, he made last year’s finals but lost out to Jeremy Flores. Now blue collar, Aussie workhorse Kieren Perrow has won his first WCT event. While all eyes were on the likes of John John and Slater, Kieren Perrow stole the show in an unexpected win at The Billabong Pipe Masters event. He went in with the prospect of losing his place in the World Tour Slot altogether, though ended up finishing the day at No. 15.

It was clearly his day:

Last year I went from such a high going into the final to such depression afterwards. This was a totally different event.

 

2011 Billabong Pipe Masters champion Kieren Perrow Photo: Checky

Perrow was focused from the onset, getting some deep caves in the first two days when the surf was at it’s most treacherous. However he made it back after a neck and neck heat with Tanner Gudauskas. He began the final day by decimating Brazilian golden boy Gabriel Medina and Tahiti’s Michel Bourez with a perfect 10.

The final heat of the day saw Perrow go up against fellow Aussie Joel Parkinson – who offered up a Pipe barrel, Perrow returned with a 6.17 Backdoor trip. Things slowed when a huge tropical squall rolled in, but things picked up when the sun came out – both surfers shared a gorgeous peak. As the final minutes closed in, Parkinson tried to force a Backdoor but his luck had run out and Perrow took the heat 13.17- 7.

Despite the loss,  Parkinson (who was nursing a gnarled elbow), seemed happy the win went to Perrow:

As much as I wanted to win, I couldn’t have picked someone better to beat me. I’m glad if I was going to lose, I was going to lose to him.

 

It was a thrilling moment for Perrow, who was joined on the podium by his family.

Kieren Perrow's son Tosh showed some Aussie pride with his Dad and Joel Parkinson on the podium

Perrow has this to say:

It took me up until now to get over getting second to Jeremy last year.  It’s so good to get back here. I just felt so comfortable the whole time. I’ve had such a great event anyway and coming in to today, it was just amazing. The waves have been phenomenal. I haven’t surfed Pipe like that in my entire career. This is pretty much the pinnacle for me.

 

Check out the video highlights with all the action from the last day of the epic 2011 Billabong Pipe Masters.

 

via: espn  transworld surf

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