The latest installment of 'Medina Campeão Mundial' is in folks. Thats right, Medina spits his dummy as he doesn't get the score he needs. You can't really blame him, he's only a young lad with the pressure of a second world title and carrying the Brazilian Title domination on his shoulders.
The event is the Hurley Pro Trestles, the heat was against Tanner Gadauskas (wild card and local). What was at stake and why everyone is making such a fuss? Lets break it down into points:
The stakes were high. This was no normal heat, a win here would have given Gabriel the yellow jersey and the number one spot on tour.
The commentators, Ross, Strider and guest commentator Barton Lynch all agreed in that instance that Medina had done enough to get the wave. (When will they learn?)
The reaction from Gabriel in the water was one of disbelief, of genuine shock which soon turned into sarcastic applause aimed at the judges.
At the time writing this there has been no official response from the WSL apart from 'no comment'
Other pro's including Matt Wilkinson, Julian Wilson & Jeremy Flores have all jumped on that bandwagon, tweeting about their own waves been under scored. (they are all out of the comp too)
There has been a HUGE backlash on social media about the score that Gabriel got on his wave with 8 mins 20 seconds left on the clock. Medina himself has been accused of inciting this as he was seen to sarcastically applaud the judges decision. Be careful Gabs, the last person to do this (Jeremy Flores) was later walking away with a $50, 000 fine and a 2 month ban. This is not the first time the Medina camp have displayed unrivaled objection to the opinions of the five wise men (AKA the judges).
That's the situation. The scores are not going to change, everyone is entitled to their opinion but the only five that matter sit up in the judges' tower and that verdict has been passed.
I have my opinion about the score and I will, as the commentators should have, (well done Ronnie Blakey) keep it to myself. Here is the heat and you can make up your own mind. Let us know what you think.
P.S I would also just like to say well done to Tanner as he surfed an amazing heat and regardless of the decision he did beat a world champion.