A Call To Arms

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Surfpolitik

Click 'enlarge' to see images at full size

"Congratulations to Gabriel. He surfed an amazing event, he posted some huge heat totals and there's no reason he should have his head down."  Julian Wilson during his winner's speech at the Rip Curl Pro Portugal.

There was always gonna be a reaction to this one. An unlikely 8.43 for the last wave of the final handed Jules the win and saw Medina put his head down. The young Brazilian gave a perfunctory speech on the podium then promptly pissed off, Wilson struggled to lift the trophy, and surf fans everywhere argued the call.

Unlike the usual judging scandal this one wasn't strictly divided down national lines. Australians and Americans were puzzled by it too. But the real outrage – the red hot wrath – was reserved for the Brasileiros who showed the rest of the surfing world what it means to be aggrieved. They made past protests look positively pointless.

They hit social media and gave the ASP's Facebook page its most 'popular' week ever (20,908 talking). They used Google Translate so their Português word bombs hit their targets ('The ASP should have shyness for the result in Portugal!'). They made their own Facebook pages. And after they did all that they started getting graphic.

It's here the Brazilians really set themselves apart from the rest of the world. Not in the impulsive caps lock abuse that any hormonal teenager is capable of, but in the sustained, slow burning affront that fuelled the creation of the attached Photoshop images. Two days have passed and there's still new images being uploaded. Click 'enlarge' on the box at right to see the handiwork.

There's been plenty of dodgy calls over the years and subsequent protests also, but I believe the Brazilians have just set the gold standard in displaying their disapproval. Australian surf fans take note, you patriotic scoundrels are gonna have to lift your game.

Comments

monk's picture
monk's picture
monk Monday, 22 Oct 2012 at 7:01pm

I have to throw my 2c worth in this time: For the first time ever I am actually on the Brazos side this time. A small chandeliering barrel and three safety turns is NOT an 8.43. There was potential for an 8.43 if he stuck a decent air or even threw down a risky turn or massive gouge, but those turns did not cut it - I am sure that guys are getting an extra piont just for a big claim. It gives me the shits. (although it doesnt sound like it, i am actually a massive J-dub fan). Still, a better result than 8 points for a floater...

thegreeniguana's picture
thegreeniguana's picture
thegreeniguana Monday, 22 Oct 2012 at 9:14pm

Seriously, what the fuck is going on with the judging. 95% of surfers will pick the CORRECT result as shown by the general consensus to the Gabby - Jdub decision. If every surfer in the world can pick it WHY THE FUCK CAN"T PROFESSIONAL JUDGES?

thegreeniguana's picture
thegreeniguana's picture
thegreeniguana Monday, 22 Oct 2012 at 9:23pm

There should be some serious scrutiny of the judging in this modern age of gambling.

top-to-bottom-bells's picture
top-to-bottom-bells's picture
top-to-bottom-bells Monday, 22 Oct 2012 at 9:40pm

I'd like to see a pro surfer do an Adam Gilchrist and walk. "No mate, you take the trophy, you were ripping."

z-man's picture
z-man's picture
z-man Monday, 22 Oct 2012 at 11:42pm

Medina WON. Hands Down.

End of story.

the-roller's picture
the-roller's picture
the-roller Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 3:16am

Mr Medina,

Keep your head up. Going into Santa Cruzie the odds makers have you listed as a bit of an underdog to Bob Slater. And half that of Mr Wilson...

The call is, you're going to have to use your mind as well as your arms, bru... as it's going to take a combination of both of 'em to make it at The Lane.

Talk to your mother or possibly a professional Nike therapist about what you can take from this close, clearly emotional loss. Because as things stand right about now, it's Advantage Wilson.

the-roller's picture
the-roller's picture
the-roller Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 3:32am

Time will tell how Gabby handles.... As the Pressure just Dropped in on 'em.

http://thechumchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/10/cry-medina-cry.html

the-roller's picture
the-roller's picture
the-roller Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 5:40am

"Show me a gracious loser, and I'll show you a bus boy."

- Woody Hayes

According to the quote by the late great Coach Hayes above, does Gabriel's performance on the podium reflect a gracious loser?

Or will this 18 yr old's child like crying become a form of positive motivational pissed offness, a la the late great Andy Irons?

Stay tuned! As all of this is nothing but a positive for everyone involved with surfing!

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 6:01am

I couldn't care if he cried after the event. It's definitely an emotional time, especially for a young fella who now seems to be expected to win almost every time he hits the water. But walking off the stage like that was very disrespectful.

the-roller's picture
the-roller's picture
the-roller Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 6:50am

true that, ben. was absolutely a HUGE dis for Gabby to choose not to be there to douse Jules with the winning bottles of bubbly. (which, if you'll note in the Rip Curl replay video, the men left on stage turned into a good thing. drinking FAR more than spraying).

enjoy the tears in your Rice Bubbles, Gabby. as i suspect going forward, many will now let the grom abuse flow. like well deserved whine.

best advice would be to prepare yourself for it, Gabriel. as it's the name of the surfing game, amigo.

sergio-lustosa's picture
sergio-lustosa's picture
sergio-lustosa Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 6:55am

About the rip curl pro 2012 final
Maybe the judges were watching the semi finals replay during final, so they over scored julians waves, and didn’t see medina’s waves To compare.

They judges have to read the asp book (criteria) againg and
watch the final to see how bizarre was it! big criteria mistake!

Yesterday, it was the huge mistAke, so bad as Kelly’s crowned misunderstood last year!!

Congrats Julian and gabe, it was a great comp until the final heat!

It wasnt the first, It won’t be the last!
Same plot, different actors

sergio-lustosa's picture
sergio-lustosa's picture
sergio-lustosa Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 7:21am

COMPARE (IF YOU CAN)

the-roller's picture
the-roller's picture
the-roller Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 7:41am

Gabriel is young. he's yet to learn that fairness is an entirely subjective concept. until then, the key for anyone in Gabby's situation is to not let your competition see that you might be wearing invisible adult diapers.

even if you are 18.

blindboy's picture
blindboy's picture
blindboy Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 8:24am

......aahh for the days when Claw was chief judge at Bells. At least you knew what you were getting!

yorkessurfer's picture
yorkessurfer's picture
yorkessurfer Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 9:22am

J-dubs claim was as shameful as Medina's dummy spit. Points should be deducted for needless claiming. It's lIke staging for a free kick, trying to manipulate the judges/umpires. Kelly wouldnt have wiped his nose after that barrel!

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 9:51am

And on and on it goes. The ASP Facebook page is still being inundated with abuse and the argument has taken some humorous turns such as claims that Kelly Slater is anti-Brazilian 'cos he hasn't spoken out against the 'theft'.

Read it here: http://www.facebook.com/ASP?ref=ts&fref=ts

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 9:54am

Got to admire their stamina, but what'd happen if they lost the World Cup or something? Lordy lordy...

redsands's picture
redsands's picture
redsands Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 10:12am

Gab could of been a bit more graceful in defeat even if he was feeling hard done by.I agree and thought he should of won.Surfing is the best sport in the world and all us would agree.But it has one major flaw...judging.It will always be flawed as judging is one persons opinion against another.We all have different opinions on many topics in life and judging a man or woman on a wave and how he or she rode it ain't any different.Sooner or later Gab may even be over scored in a heat he is in due to his reputation so I reckon it will balance out in the long run.

whaaaat's picture
whaaaat's picture
whaaaat Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 10:13am

Or something serious like, say, an empire.

Wadaminnit.....

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 10:19am

And so much for Bunnyman and the Echo's claim that no-one cares about professional surfing. That one might need a reassessment.

my_opinion's picture
my_opinion's picture
my_opinion Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 10:28am

I think you get judged on the size and ridiculousness of your claim (oh-my-lord-double-fistpump-head-grab-embrace-god-crocodile-tears), not your actual surfing.

timmeh's picture
timmeh's picture
timmeh Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 10:35am

Its always a different story with the pen in your hand. If all these crew sledging online were so passionate about making a difference, then why don't they do the ISA's judging course and make their way through the ranks? It is the only way to make your voice truly heard! Online sledging a whinging is just that, it doesn't change or alter anything in any way!
BECOME A JUDGE IF YOU WANT ANYONE TO CARE ABOUT YOUR OPINION.......

whaaaat's picture
whaaaat's picture
whaaaat Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 10:37am

I blame it all on European soccer players....

whaaaat's picture
whaaaat's picture
whaaaat Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 10:45am

Take a leaf outta rugby's book of how to get along.

1. Get hit, get back up.

2. Never dive, never claim.

3. Don't ever let the other bloke know that the dangling leg/broken neck/dislocated shoulder smarts just a litte.

4. Only speak to the ref if he talks to you first, and then call him Sir.

5. Shake hands with your opponent and clap his team off the playing field.

6. Get very pissed and sing bad songs off-key.

fitzroy-21's picture
fitzroy-21's picture
fitzroy-21 Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 11:32am

Oh FFS. Boo Hoo the Brazo's.

They need to take a cup of concrete and harden the fuck up.

Would we be even be having this conversation if it was the same situation between Gabs and Adriano??

the-roller's picture
the-roller's picture
the-roller Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 12:07pm

thinking that there is someone out there who has or is currently writing code for the perfect software scoring program applicable to competitive surfing, when the day comes that the human judging factor is removed from the picture, who else thinks that most will long for the old days?

Stu,

"Bunnyman and the Echo's"....

the judges rate that a pure ten.

classic. no claim.

bum_acid's picture
bum_acid's picture
bum_acid Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 12:53pm

poor Gabriel

if only he was sponsored by Rip Curl I'm sure they would have ensured their boy got over the line

or does the anti-brasilian campaign take precedence over major sponsor influencing the final winner???

I find myself questioning everything I thought I knew...

ksurf's picture
ksurf's picture
ksurf Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 1:14pm

It was dissapointing to see Gab behave the way he did but hey, he's just a young kid. I still cry when I spill my beer. It's a wonder that most surfers could see that the wave was not an excellent score, but only the Hawaiian judge scored it under the magical 8 point mark.

zsurfnut's picture
zsurfnut's picture
zsurfnut Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 1:21pm

I think everybody would agree that Julians last wave was probably worth a 7.55 instead of an 8.43 ...right ??

HE STILL WOULD OF WON

and bum acid , there seems to be a pretty big ripcurl sticker on the nose of Gabs board so I reakon you might be barking up the wrong tree there mate

frother's picture
frother's picture
frother Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 1:31pm

Julian only needed a 7.55 for the win and although I think that 8.43 was a little highly scored, I do think he bettered Medinas 7.47 due to the addition of a few turns after the barrel (even though they were nothing special).

Medina is sponsored by rip curl is he not? So sponsor influence would have to be out of the question.

Have any surfers/ASP officials commented on the outcome? Or do the ASP officials "have shyness for the outcome in Portugal"

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 2:31pm

Nah Frother, the ASP are once bitten and twice shy. They went public with the decision behind Adriano's Amazing Floater, explained why he got the score he did, and apparently it didn't do anything to appease the aggrieved. Now they're saying suck it up and we'll see you in Santa Cruz.

blindboy's picture
blindboy's picture
blindboy Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 2:39pm

Sorry zsurfnut. I can't see it as more than a 7.0. Cute small barrel, not too deep, a few nice turns, no air.

frother's picture
frother's picture
frother Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 2:45pm

Fair enough Stu. It would be good to get a few opinions from those on the tour, though I imagine they'd all be pretty tight-lipped too.

@ Blindboy - Have you compared Medinas 7.47 barrel to JW's 8.43? I'd like to know points of view on these 2 waves compared. I agree 8.43 was high, but also think 7.47 was high for Medinas wave, so kind of evens the overscore out IMO.

zsurfnut's picture
zsurfnut's picture
zsurfnut Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 3:16pm

blindboy , you see it as a 7, so now it would of been a close call instead !
I reackon a 5 or 6 myself , but I'm not a judge, aye timmeh

floyd's picture
floyd's picture
floyd Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 4:27pm

Like watching The View reading all this bullshit. So many talking no-one listening. But, afterall its only Pro surfing so who gives a flying fuck.

rh-taxi's picture
rh-taxi's picture
rh-taxi Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 4:46pm

Dodgy decision IMO but thats pro surfing innit. Less claiming from wilson and less bawling and more sportsmanship from medina. Oh and judges get your shit together.

whaaaat's picture
whaaaat's picture
whaaaat Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 4:50pm

@Floyd

You watch The View???

And Pro Surfing????!!!!

WTF!!!

No wonder your dog crosses his legs - he's trying to avoid a nasty accident

zsurfnut's picture
zsurfnut's picture
zsurfnut Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 5:15pm

Floyd , You're a crack up !!

rat-race's picture
rat-race's picture
rat-race Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 5:17pm

Australia 0, Italy 1.
Justice? Equilibrium? Life? Death?
Nah... Just sport.

Stay sweet.

chrisb's picture
chrisb's picture
chrisb Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 5:31pm

Dodgy decisions are part of all sport. Happens in all sports and will continue in all sports. All professional athletes know there are going to be times when decisions go their way and times when they do not - if they cannot accept that, they should find another occupation.

In the last few events most people have agreed Jordy, Ace and Medina have all been dudded. Medina can maybe learn some lessons from his peers. Where's all the commentary on those other decisions? Walking off the podium like he did was disgraceful. He is a great surfer and you can't see how he will possibly not win a world title (I'll be going for John John and the Aussies) but he has an enormous amount to learn about sportsmanship - as does his old man.

monk's picture
monk's picture
monk Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 5:33pm

I could not have said it better @rh-taxi.

I thought the judging was pretty good most event - I actually think the judges get caught up in the excitement in tight important heats with a big last wave (remember Slater v Irons at J-bay a few years back). I don't know what the solution is (maybe penalise for claiming...), but I am sure happy I am not a judge. Gabs got the raw deal this time but my sympathy dissolved as soon as I saw his 'performance' at the presentation...

timmeh's picture
timmeh's picture
timmeh Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 5:49pm

From what I saw on the video it would have been close either way. Its way different when you score almost every wave of the event. Usually by the final all the judges are tuned in and are seeing things very similarly, by this stage in wt event they have scored over 300 waves and know the wave and the surfers very well even with the changing conditions. They were very consistently rewarding barrels that weren't necessarily long but had high degrees of difficulty. The fact that all 5 judges deemed that Julian was the winner speaks for itself. I could understand the debate if it was 4-1 or 3-2, but 5-0 is pretty convincing. Having lived in Peniche for 6 months we had heaps of good supertubes and everything in between and its a really tough wave to make barrels and drops but the smaller waves were relatively easy to surf. So this is why they were always rewarding the difficult barrels even if they weren't pretty. I've judged with almost all of the WT judges at some stage and have learnt a lot of these guys and openly admit that they judge rings around me. I also know that whenever I look at the replay it never seems the same as what I initially saw. Sometimes better, sometimes worse. But its not something we rely on too much as we are all very tuned into scoring consistently without it, especially in 2 man heats. I think we can safely put our trust in these guys and let them do what they do best and we should all stick to what we do best - Watching and enjoying the best sport in the world with a beer in hand!

deanafroth's picture
deanafroth's picture
deanafroth Tuesday, 23 Oct 2012 at 8:18pm

Owen Wright: "I didn't come on the tour to do floaters"...

marcus-rocha's picture
marcus-rocha's picture
marcus-rocha Wednesday, 24 Oct 2012 at 12:08am

My theory (conspiracy or not!) 1) Competitive surfing is about to change big time (perhaps the biggest transformation since the establishment of the IPS in 1972) with the takeover of Zoa Sea media. 2) Just couple of weeks ago, during the Quick Pro in Hossegor/France, ASP officially announced a new partnership with Zosea re Media rights - as yet the partnership between ASP and Zosea are very vague regarding the terms of the deal. It appears that the formal closing of the deal will be done by end of this year.3) Based on information available on the net (refer to Randy Rarick's interview at Surfline):'[Zosea's] goal is to take the sport [surfing], privatize it, monetize it and move it forward. Their goal is to take it from a niche sport and move it to maybe not a first tier sport, but certainly something that will make people sit up and recognize. 'Regardless of which shape the new ASP/Zosea partnership morphs into, they will need lots of $upport to run their new business model (and of course to make $ on the long run). In this new world of professional surfing, I would think that ASP/Zosea would need to rely on much deeper pockets to support their vision to make surfing a 'mass' sport. Of course this goes way beyond what the traditional surfing brands can afford thus they will need to look outside of the surfing realm (i.e. global brands) to achieve their goal.

Brief conclusion re the final result in Portugal: 1) Coincidence or not, Julian Wilson is sponsored by two HUGE global brands (Nike & Red bull) - which are the type of companies that ASP/Zosea wants on their books. 2) Most importantly, with the upcoming retirement of Kelly Slater, the ASP/Zosea partnership (and its associates) is desperately in need of a new face to represent them to a world outside of the surfing bubble. Julian is the type of guy that marketing managers dream about - he's fresh, a very talented surfer, well spoken, good looking and is always involved in noble causes i.e breast cancer initiatives etc - a perfect match to their new system. In my view all of these matters were been taken into consideration (even unconsciously) when the ASP judges assessed the scores of Julian vs Gabriel on that awful final. Obviously I don't think Julian won that final. I'm interested to know whether others share a similar view. Aloha & Peace to all,

Marcus

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Wednesday, 24 Oct 2012 at 1:08am

Hey Marcus, I read this this morning on another forum by a Peniche local who saw the final from the sand. I think this pretty well sums it up. I don't think it's a conspiracy and with a huge surfing population in Brazil, do you think that Zosea would want to alienate such a big sector of their market?

Also, I think the behaviour of GM doesn't exactly make him a particularly good role model anyway, wouldn't you agree?

Marco says:

October 22, 2012 at 8:54 am

I am Peniche local surfer.i was at supertubos final day watching and cheering for Gabreil. I thought Julian got the score maybe not 8.43 but easy 7.5 to win. This wave is barrel and deep heavy barrel on bigger wave more score than air on smaller less power wave. when i home and watch on internet i see why Medina fan think he win but at beach i see why Julian win. he took wave latter and behind peak and wave bigger and more heavy. that the same for judges to see. Madina shound not cry he an he dad show bad sport. he is best surfer atPeniche but not in final because he lose prority and lose and also cry. Kelly also very bad sport after lose. Pete you coment above you no sh*t about our waves here. you ask the pros about our wave before you talk sh*t.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Wednesday, 24 Oct 2012 at 6:55am

Marcus, are you serious? Your theory is laughable on so many levels I don't know where to start. You do score points for originality though.

whaaaat's picture
whaaaat's picture
whaaaat Wednesday, 24 Oct 2012 at 7:47am

@Marcus, I'm afraid I'm with Ben and Zen on this one.

As he's an ex-judge, I'd be interest in getting Timmeh's thoughts on Ben's earlier comments, though, viz. "How about the added pressure (in an already high pressure situation) that Julian was catching his last wave of the heat with just a minute or so to go - so therefore, it was this wave or nothing? I wonder if that kind of situation sometimes pushes up the scores a little higher. ... I think it's reasonable to differentiate a wave ridden technically the same as another, if one was ridden at the start of the heat and the other at the end of the heat in what's essentially the decider."

ando's picture
ando's picture
ando Wednesday, 24 Oct 2012 at 8:10am

Seems to me like everyone on this forum is focusing on Wilson's last wave -- I don't think that's the issue at all...I think it's his first wave that is the issue...massively overscored or not? Regardless, Brazilian behaviour on forums etc has been pathetic.

the-roller's picture
the-roller's picture
the-roller Wednesday, 24 Oct 2012 at 8:33am

ando,

if you would REALLY read the comment thread you'd see clearly, we are equal opportunity slaggers. With a slight emphasis on the now visible chinks in Gabby's size XS armor.

As to Marcus's "claim", the things that the new ballers bring to town? Identically perfect man made waves in which the randomness of varying waves and conditions as we know it will be eliminated.

Oh, and the soon to be crowned,...

Bob Kelly Slater.

Commissioner of Surfing.

the-roller's picture
the-roller's picture
the-roller Wednesday, 24 Oct 2012 at 8:41am

Brazilians or anyone else behaving pathetically on internet forums?

Negro, please.

The First Amendment is not just for angry lefties....... Everyone is entitled to an opinion. It's called free speech. If one does not like what others have to say, i guess we could go off and become evil dictators. and oppress them.

Or open a Twittie account.

ando's picture
ando's picture
ando Wednesday, 24 Oct 2012 at 8:57am

@theroller...all I REALLY see above is focus on Wilson's final wave...I don't get it? To me it's 100% all about Wilsons first scored wave, a high 7 for a short shut down barrel bust out the front. I reckon he got the score required on his last wave, but the score required might have been completely out of whack based on wave score number 1.

timmeh's picture
timmeh's picture
timmeh Wednesday, 24 Oct 2012 at 9:41am

Yeah we're all human aren't we? I think it happens more often than not that the guy going for the score at the end of the heat gets the score. It shouldn't influence the judge but we are all affected by normal human responses to external stimuli and adrenal glands are definitely in overdrive at the end of the heat. That said, we are highly trained to cope with these responses and are in these situations multiple times per day in an event. The guys judging the final are the top judges in the world (and all also throw buckets) so I doubt that affected their score. I've heard from a few mates who were on the beach that day who have all said how much heavier the waves JW got were. That would have been the main topic of discussion before the event at the judges meeting. After all the wave is called "Supertubous"! In this type of wave the more critical sections get paid much more than combinations etc....

lhzaidan's picture
lhzaidan's picture
lhzaidan Wednesday, 24 Oct 2012 at 2:57pm

Maybe the deal is Julian's last wave overscored made it look worse than it was. And hot headed fans don't analyze that kind of wave sober.

If he won close, like some guys are saying he did, I reckon we wouldn't be seing this level of anger and mess.

We Brasileiros can take a fair fight. But don't lie to our faces like that. Our blood boils and we love to fight back the way we can and know: provoking. That's soccer culture bro. We are used to that every day. And we take it to extreme levels of loudness and agression.

We know how hard is our story in professional surfing, just don't take a title away from us like that. This is what happens.

And if ASP, or anybody else can't handle it, I couldn't care less. Read the Brazzos piece on Surfing Magazine, learn a little of our culture, cause we do that with Americans, Aussies, Europeans. True we learned it the hard way, but now the streaming is for everybody, and we know we can have a voice.

We do the same thing with politician scandals, celebrities, so that's our way of being heard. We are a nation that's tired of hiding our opinion because it's polite to do so. When we see wrong, we shout loud.

ASP did a mess and they are getting what they deserve. Next time, make a low profile lie, it safer.

marcus-rocha's picture
marcus-rocha's picture
marcus-rocha Wednesday, 24 Oct 2012 at 6:09pm

Hi boys, I promised this will be my last ditch on this matter! (I hope anyways). The below article brings new perspective to the so called BAD sportsmanship - read on and tell me what you think:

http://www.theinertia.com/surf/gabriel-medina-and-the-importance-of-bad-...

Aloha,

Marcus

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Wednesday, 24 Oct 2012 at 6:26pm

"read on and tell me what you think"

Yeah, I read it and figured it was only a matter of time before a journo looking for a fresh angle played the contrarian card. I'm all for rivalries in sport, a bit of spite and a bit of venom, but not when they continue off the arena. Seems to me Ted Endo, in his advocacy of sporting rivalries, was giving carte blanche to sour grape sportsmanship.

But anyway, what does this have to do with the conspiracy theory as outlined in your previous post..?

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Wednesday, 24 Oct 2012 at 6:40pm

I'll tell you what I think too Marcus and I have nothing personally against Medina, I love the way he surfs, he's the complete package.

I take exception to the first paragraph stating that the 'judges got it wrong'. See my post from the Peniche local who was on the sand and witnessed the final. He was supporting GM but noted that Julian caught bigger and more critical waves and rode them well. Hence the scores. Your other countryman above noted there probably wouldn't be this much controversy if the final score had have been closer to a 7.5 still giving JW the win.

And even though that journo plays the contrarian card, you can say all you want- it was highly disrespectful, childish and churlish to act the way he did.

Sure Brasilians wear their hearts on their sleeves but if an Aussie did the same thing I guarantee they wouldn't have that level of support from us, they would be branded a wanker. We have a term in oz that reflects GW's behaviour that day- Weak as piss.

Aloha to you too.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Wednesday, 24 Oct 2012 at 6:43pm

Hmmm.. another tennis analogy. Didn't someone else use this to poor effect last year?

mick-free's picture
mick-free's picture
mick-free Wednesday, 24 Oct 2012 at 7:43pm

I think zenagain nailed it with his story from the local above

Marco says:

October 22, 2012 at 8:54 am

I am Peniche local surfer.i was at supertubos final day watching and cheering for Gabreil. I thought Julian got the score maybe not 8.43 but easy 7.5 to win. This wave is barrel and deep heavy barrel on bigger wave more score than air on smaller less power wave. when i home and watch on internet i see why Medina fan think he win but at beach i see why Julian win. he took wave latter and behind peak and wave bigger and more heavy. that the same for judges to see. Madina shound not cry he an he dad show bad sport. he is best surfer atPeniche but not in final because he lose prority and lose and also cry. Kelly also very bad sport after lose. Pete you coment above you no sh*t about our waves here. you ask the pros about our wave before you talk sh*t.

I think Steve Shearer said a similar thing about watching Mick at Bells this year. Anyway I watched in the early hours of the morning and my initial thought was straight away that he didn't get the score but thought the judges would give it (everyone loves a buzzer beater so to speak), it just seemed it was going to be Julians contest after he won the quarter (Owen should have closed the door). Besides all of the above you have to admit Julian's claim was sick (double bent elbow, hands pointing to the gods, eyes looking to the heaven blaha thats got to be a point in itself then two check turns right arm fisty for 0.5. So hes turned a 7 into an 8.43.

If you want to make up any sort of possibility of conspiracy ASP has to sell this shit thats as close as you are going to get, not this sponsor, zosea bullsit! Its entertainment and jdub delivered.

ps Claims are back and involuntary claims (ie the ones when you don't know you are claiming a claim are even better) Julian learnt it from the master KS - check his quarter final loss to kelly in Fiji. CJ gets award for best claim against Adriano too in the same event. Bring back the biff and the claim

z-man's picture
z-man's picture
z-man Thursday, 25 Oct 2012 at 1:20am

@mick-free;

Biff?

mick-free's picture
mick-free's picture
mick-free Thursday, 25 Oct 2012 at 2:01am

@z-man

was a rugby league analogy and reference to the title a call to arms. All sports need great rivalries maybe Medina should have punched on. That would have made some highlights. These two are the next kelly v andy, so its 1-1.

marquinhovix's picture
marquinhovix's picture
marquinhovix Thursday, 25 Oct 2012 at 3:01am

Clearly Medina was stolen, and what the fuck do you think you'd be waiting for the "winner" raise trofel.

the-roller's picture
the-roller's picture
the-roller Thursday, 25 Oct 2012 at 3:36am

A call to groms....

"Don't Be A Blubbering Sore Loser".

http://www.askmen.com/sports/fanatic_250/273_the-rules-for-crying-in-spo...

the-roller's picture
the-roller's picture
the-roller Thursday, 25 Oct 2012 at 5:31am

can't really blames Gabby. as he's still at that age stage of being controlled by the oldies.

seems it's the father figure. as he's the sad sack with the history of bailing out.

http://www.doomasrumors.com/2012/gabe-medinas-dad-gets-fined/

ASP might want to drug test pappy. as it seems he might be overdosing either the chimarrão. Or the Red Bull.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_bull#Ingredients

fullyloadedman's picture
fullyloadedman's picture
fullyloadedman Thursday, 25 Oct 2012 at 12:30pm

A few good points made here so here's my 2 cents. Firstly Julian was over judged, but if you go back through the last couple of days of the event and compare the waves (I did this) you will see that he easily got the 7.5 he needed. And, If you compare Medina's waves, you'll see his air rev wave was slightly overdone too. The best part of that wave was his hack halfway through it, the air rev was only small. But the way he acted after was disgusting full stop.
The best part of the last few days was being able to get on and really stir up the Brazo's! They just get so fired up! They've been crying more than the kid did.

fullyloadedman's picture
fullyloadedman's picture
fullyloadedman Thursday, 25 Oct 2012 at 3:08pm

@whaat

"Take a leaf outta rugby's book of how to get along.

1. Get hit, get back up.

2. Never dive, never claim.

3. Don't ever let the other bloke know that the dangling leg/broken neck/dislocated shoulder smarts just a litte.

4. Only speak to the ref if he talks to you first, and then call him Sir.

5. Shake hands with your opponent and clap his team off the playing field.

6. Get very pissed and sing bad songs off-key."

Best comment I've read all day!

yorkessurfer's picture
yorkessurfer's picture
yorkessurfer Thursday, 25 Oct 2012 at 3:42pm

re.Rugby: 7. If you can bite your opponents ear or stick your finger up their bum and get away with it, it's a great way of putting them off their game!

whaaaat's picture
whaaaat's picture
whaaaat Thursday, 25 Oct 2012 at 5:01pm

You're thinking of League, Yorkster. In rugby, we just sniff bums and get our own ears flattened.

floyd's picture
floyd's picture
floyd Thursday, 25 Oct 2012 at 5:59pm

@butt-sniffer errr i mean whaaat ..... you have a crack at me for comparing this forum topic to watching The View and you admit sniffing butts. well well we all have our little deviate ways i guess but most don't declare them to the world. For the record i don't watch the view i just had to suffer through it once while on a ferry across port phillip heads. still reckon this forum topic is bullshit. for fuck sake pro sport = money = corruption. accept it and get over it girls.

floyd's picture
floyd's picture
floyd Thursday, 25 Oct 2012 at 6:00pm

@butt-sniffer errr i mean whaaat ..... you have a crack at me for comparing this forum topic to watching The View and you admit sniffing butts. well well we all have our little deviate ways i guess but most don't declare them to the world. For the record i don't watch the view i just had to suffer through it once while on a ferry across port phillip heads. still reckon this forum topic is bullshit. for fuck sake pro sport = money = corruption. accept it and get over it girls.

whaaaat's picture
whaaaat's picture
whaaaat Thursday, 25 Oct 2012 at 7:02pm

Thank you for that insightful economic analysis, Adam Smith.

thegreeniguana's picture
thegreeniguana's picture
thegreeniguana Thursday, 25 Oct 2012 at 11:59pm

Timmeh: 1- I would love to travel the world watching the top 3 rip the fucken bag. 2. Judging is fairly simple. It abot being consistent. doesnt matter if yor judging local boardriders, state level, or asp. 3. Ask Allan Jones if on-line campaigns have any impact.

RE Gabby. If I was faced with balling my eyes out, on stage, in front of screaming portugease and a world wide web audience, or walking off stage after making a brief yet somewhat gracious speech, I would probably choose the former.

mibs-oner's picture
mibs-oner's picture
mibs-oner Friday, 26 Oct 2012 at 6:37pm

i dunno whats worse, the fact he got those scores or the fact he claimed them mid wave. we'd get laughed out the water at my local for claiming that rubbish