VIA – AU SPORTS YAHOO
AAPDecember 9, 2013, 7:03 pm
The brutal surf at the world famous Pipeline in Hawaii has claimed it’s first victim, with Australia’s retiring former Pipeline Masters champion Kieren Perrow suffering a dislocated shoulder.
In the final heat of his career, the 36-year-old dislocated his shoulder in a heavy wipeout during his heat at this year’s Pipeline Masters.
“It spat me out and I just felt my shoulder snap,” said Perrow, who won the event in 2011.
Perrow’s opening round competitor, Kaimana Jaquias of Hawaii, will surf against Aussie championship leader Mick Fanning in their round-three heat.
The event will decide the world champion for 2013 with Fanning and American legend Kelly Slater vying for the title.
Little-known Mitch Crews has the chance to clinch a third title for countryman Fanning after earning a clash with Slater.
For Slater to win a 12th world crown he must win the event and have Fanning fail to reach the semi-finals.
But 23-year-old Crews can become an Australian hero and end the title battle early if he’s able to eliminate the American superstar in their match up.
The Queenslander, a qualifier for next year’s world championship tour, showed he’s in the form to cause some problems, pulling off the biggest upset of day one when he beat Hawaii’s former tour veteran Shane Dorian in round one.
Crews then backed it up in the pumping two-metre surf with a second round win over countryman Matt Wilkinson.
“This Hawaii season’s one of the best I’ve ever had,” Crews said.
“This has been an incredible run and that (Dorian) heat was a great time. I never usually even get waves out here, so I’m really happy.”
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