Cory Lopez Late-Season Charge Serves Notice of Intent in "All Star" Pipe Final
Cory Lopez : photo Kevin Welsh/SurfNRG.com
Cory crowning Pipe Master Andy Irons.Surfersvillage Global Surf News, December 15th, 2006 - Banxai Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii:- - Cory Lopez (Florida) finished 3rd in a "star studded" Pipe Masters Final. Surfing amongst his peers, the elite foursome engaged in a 35 minute battle royale with countless exchanges in this, the Pipeline Master's 36th Anniversary year.
The world's foremost tube riding "Duel" started off with Slater taking a commanding lead and Lopez pulling into second place with a deep tube ride for a score of 7.5 (out of possible 10); getting spit out of the barrel right in front of Slater as he paddled back out.
In the end, it was defending event Champion, Andy Irons who took top honors with a high scoring heat that included a perfect 10 point ride to victory, over 8X and reigning World Champion Kelly Slater (Florida) who finished a disappointing 2nd.
Slater lead the final for most of the 35 minutes, however Irons two highest scoring rides came during the last 6 minutes of the heat, leaving Slater scratching for a two wave combination score of 19.88 in the waning minutes of the final. Lopez and Machado rounded out the final, placing 3rd and 4th, respectfully.
Cory's 3rd place finish in the Pipe final was also noteworthy in that he placed above 2000 event Champion Rob Machado of California. If Slater had won the final he would have broken the last remaining record held by 3X World Champion Tom Curren of California. Both Surfers are currently tied with 34 event Championship victories.
The appearance in the Pipe Master's final was Cory's first in this event although he has appeared in the Pipe semi-finals no less than two times with numerous quarter final finishes.
Cory's good friend, former 3X World Champion; (current event and 2006 4X Triple Crown winner) Andy Irons said, "Cory's my boy, I'm stoked to see him in a Pipe final with us... we always travel together, he's like my 2nd girlfriend", joked Irons after he thanked his sponsors and "real girlfriend" Lindy for her support.
Although Cory is known for charging big barrels at places like Pipeline and Teahupoo in Tahiti, Cory was the only surfer in the final to have not yet won a Pipe Masters title. The Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters is considered to be the world's most prestigious professional surfing event and the trophy is coveted by the world's best. The 2006 installment of this event is widely considered to be historic and " the best finale ever seen at the 36-year-old Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters".
"The Backdoor waves that those guys were getting were really sick," said Lopez. "I had fun and I was psyched to be in the final. I would have loved to win, but Andy and Kelly are just great competitors and they had some really good rights. Andy had that one unbelievable left… It was a great heat!" - Cory Lopez (3rd Place).
Cory Lopez is no stranger to podium finishes, with a number of prestigious trophies on his mantle. He has racked up some impressive results in recent years, having won the Billabong Pro at Teahupoo in 2001, the Honda U.S. Open in 2003 (over Andy Irons) and beating Kelly Slater in the final of the Globe SI Pro in 2005 for the win. Slater has been quoted saying that "Cory is one of the best surfers (and tube riders) in the world".
Lopez is also a 3 time recipient of an X Games Gold Medal. His highest final season ranking was # 3 in 2001, having lead the tour ratings after posting his maiden WCT victory in Tahiti that same year. Cory's 3rd place finish at the Pipeline season ender has seen him catapult in the ratings from 17 to 12th place. Lopez placed # 11 in 2005.
A perennial Vans Triple Crown contender, Lopez is the highest ranked American (mainlander) in the 2006 Vans Triple Crown Final Series Standings at # 7 (finishing above Slater). Lopez is also the 6th Highest ranked American on the ASP World Tour (not including Hawaiian Andy Irons). Cory's older brother Shea, a veteran WCT competitor, has also been a contender at Pipeline, having placed in the quarter-finals as recently as 2003.
The two brothers both surf right foot forward (commonly known as "Goofy Foot") and share the same birthday of March 21st (born 3 years apart). To date they are the only surfing siblings to have each won a U.S . Open Title (Shea - '99 & Cory - '03). Cory Lopez will now take some time during the off season to train in anticipation of his 2007 WCT campaign.
Cory Lopez recently opened his signature Nekton Surf Shop in his home town of Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. Cory is sponsored by O'Neill, Anarchy Eyewear, DVS Shoes, Freestyle Watch, Monster Energy, Boost Mobile, Placebo Surfboards, KMC Wheels and the new Ron Jon Surfpark in Orlando, Florida.Cory Lopez - Final Season Stats - 2006Surfer Mag Poll 2006: # 10
Vans Triple Crown 2006: # 7
ASP/WCT 2006 Final Rating: # 12 (# 11 - 2005)
Trans World Surf Business Exposuremeter 1999-2006 "All Time Media Rankings": # 5
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Team O'Neill's Cory Lopez Finishes 3rd in Pipe Masters
Global Surf News
... Team rider Cory Lopez finished third behind eight-time World Champion Kelly Slater and three-time World Champion Andy Irons today at the Pipeline Masters. ...
Cory Lopez late-season charge serves notice of intent Global Surf NewsContact:
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