After a wild and stormy start, many thought that this year's Rip Curl Search Event would break the streak of epic surf that this event has enjoyed since it began in 2005. Well, those doubters (me) can shut up now. Supertubos was in the 8-10 foot plus range, with some nasty gaping barrels today. There were a handful of perfect ten point rides, but they didnt come without a price. Kai Otton recieved a grade 1 ligament tear in his knee, and the giant killer, Owen Wright, burst an eardrum on a heaving air drop against Damien Hobgood in Quarterfinal 3. This came moments after posting a perfect ten on an impossibly deep left, which proved to be enough as Damo was left out in the lineup alone needing a 6, but couldnt find it. Owen has already taken out Kekoa Bacalso, Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, and Damien Hobgood. If he is able to recover in time for tomorrow, he will face Mick Fanning in the semifinals.

In world title news, I am pleased to report that this year's race will end in Hawaii with a showdown at the Pipe Masters. With CJ, Adriano, and Kelly all eliminated, the title race has become more of a friendly arm-wrestling match between lifelong BFFs Mick and Joel. Both are into the semifinals on opposite sides of the draw, so a Fanning/Parko final seems imminent. It seems like Parko's ankle isnt bothering him anymore, so in the words of Andy Irons, "Game on, Brah". With 3 heats left to run in the contest, organizers will wait til the conditions are just right to finish up at Supertubos tomorrow. First call is at 7:30 AM local time.

Watch highlights of yesterday's expression session:


RIP CURL PRO SEARCH ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.67 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 8.87
Heat 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.20 def. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 8.73
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) 10.17 def. Drew Courtney (AUS) 3.00
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 11.94 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 11.84
Heat 5: Owen Wright (AUS) 17.27 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 15.67
Heat 6: Damien Hobgood (USA) 15.33 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.43
Heat 7: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.33 def. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 4.66
Heat 8: Tim Reyes (USA) 11.37 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 8.74

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.50 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.17
QF 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 18.60 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 9.00
QF 3: Owen Wright (AUS) 12.83 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 12.50
QF 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.17 def. Tim Reyes (USA) 5.90

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS:
SF 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
SF 2: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Mick Fanning (AUS)