The heat of contest came in semifinal No. 2, when reigning world champ Yago Dora came up against fellow world champ, fellow Brazilian and fellow Monster teammate Gabriel Medina. (Gabriel also happens to be Yago’s hero.)
For the first 29 minutes of the heat, Yago had his back against the wall. Then, in the dying seconds and needing a 9.34, a wave appeared. A final chance. He’d have to do something undeniable.
Turn 1 - hammer. Turn 2 - flowing. Then the coil for the end section and...launch. Spinning into the offshore winds with a near impossible Indy grab. Full rotation. Full stomp. A 9.5 and a trip to final.
The final belonged to Miguel Pupo, but at his first event back since his world title, with a single wave, Yago Dora made it clear to the competition — he is the man to beat.
