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The Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons will determine this year's world surfing champion as well as those who qualify for the elite tour in 2015.
Cocoa Beach's Kelly Slater, seeking his 12th world title, is third in the standings, practically needing a victory at the famed Hawaii surf spot.
The first-round heats that involve the only remaining world contenders, No. 1 Gabriel Medina, No. 2 Mick Fanning and No. 3 Slater:
Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA), Adam Melling (AUS), Dusty Payne (HAW).
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS), Aritz Aranburu (ESP), TBD
Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Dion Atkinson (AUS), TBD
The 2014 Title race scenarios are now as follows:
• If Medina finishes 2nd or better at the Billabong Pipe Masters, he will clinch the 2014 ASP World Title.
• If Medina finishes 3rd at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Fanning will need to win the event and Slater will be out of contention.
• If Medina finishes 5th at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Fanning will need to win the event and Slater will be out of contention.
• If Medina finishes 9th at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Fanning will need to finish 2nd or better and Slater will be out of contention.
• If Medina finishes 13th or 25th at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Fanning will need to finish 3rd to win or 5th to send the title race into a one-heat "surf-off" between himself and Medina.
• If Medina finishes 13th or 25th at the Billabong Pipe Masters, Slater will need to win the event.
Satellite Beach's C.J. Hobgood will not compete due to injury.
