Brazilian Media Claims Medina Not Returning Until G'Land
There's no direct quotes or named sources so chalk it up as speculation, however Brazilian media claims Gabriel Medina won't return to the CT till the sixth contest of the year.
You'll recall Gabs made news when he decided to pull out of Pipeline, the first contest of the year, saying, "I'll be back when I am able." He also missed Sunset, hence opting out of the entire Hawaian season.
Opinion lent towards a return at Bells Beach, homeground for his longtime sponsor, Rip Curl. A return at Bells also meant a top five finish was a reasonable expectation.
Medina in the gold jersey at Trestles - an unlikely sight this year (WSL)
However, this week, Universo Online, a seemingly reputable Brazilian news outlet, announced that Medina will miss the whole first half of the year, meaning Hawaii, Portugal, and the two Australian events.
UOL also reports that Medina has been given one of the two wildcards available for the back end of the season.
"This issue has also been resolved," states UOL. "Even before the official announcement of his departure, Medina spoke with the WSL and has already settled this issue. The tone used by people linked to the organization was that the Brazilian would have invitations to "whenever he wanted".
If the story is true then Medina almost certainly can't make the top five, counting him out as a title threat this year.
Comments
As much as he boils my blood while he's competing, I truly do wish him the best and hope he gets back into what he does best soon! He is a human being at the end of the day.
Nicely said!
I wouldn't count him out.......if he surfs in all 5 remaining ct's for the back half who knows what he can achieve? No throw aways in back half too. I haven't done the math on it totally but looking back at 2019 KA got 5th overall with 46k points so I guess it's possible to make top 5 and if anyone could.......Long shot but after his results last year you couldn't write him off.Cheers
Would have been interesting to see what he'd have done on his backhand out there today. Probably the only one in jjfs league for manhandling big chunky sectiions.
I wonder who he will have in tow?
a/ Charlie, or b/ Mummy Simone or c/ Neymar?
Regardless hopefully it's the happy, chill new version of Medina we saw last year
he's now got Andy King as his coach. Andy is a legend and knows what he's on about.
I thought Andy King was coaching the Australian team now at the HPC? Can coach both I suppose
yeah come back Meds all is forgiven........
If he surfs G-Land...he wins...his surfing is the perfect match for the wave
Yes, agree!!
It's been refreshing to read these comments.
Was used to so many Medina hating comments in articles about him over the last few years, so it's nice to read in these comments and the last few articles since news broke of him not being in a good place, that many on here actually like him or at least appreciate what he can do on a wave.
Been the same with Slater- so many comments last few years saying he should hang up his hat and let new blood come through. Now he is winning again, there is a groundswell of support for him.
Personally, Medina, GOAT (and JJF) are gifts from another planet for our surf viewing pleasure! I really do appreciate just witnessing the surfing these guys are doing. Really hope Gabriel gets to where he needs to be personally to be happy again, and he can return to the world surfing stage to blow our minds once again.
couldn't agree more.
That's a shame, I thought he was taking the year off.
Excuse the ignorance but returning for the second half of the yr. How? Injury wildcard I can only presume?
yeah think he gets the event wildcard at each event......being the reigning world champ would help.cheers
There is no way in my mind that anyone should be getting a walk through to the second half. Surely you have to do the events and get the ranking to make the cut and then again do the events and get in the top to make the finals.
Ohbilly ya nailed it straight up ..
Yeah classic Aussie mindset. I'm happy to cut him off that the knees when he's winning, but if he's really down and out I want to see him back and helping push the rest of them. If he was in Pipe he would have probably finished at least top 4.
Who wouldnt want to surf all expenses paid uncrowded G'land forehand?