Thoughts on the Controversy

So, recently at the Billabong Pro Rio, there was probably the most controversial heat of the year thus far, and maybe in the past few years... at least the surfing community seems to think so as it is all I am seeing on my twitter feed and on all the surf sites. I would say that most articles seem to think Owen got robbed, while the comments that the public post seem to be fairly even.

I figured I would give my thoughts on the heat: When I was watching the heat live it was clear that Adriano's floater was over-scored and I don't think anyone is arguing about that part, in fact I predicted he would get a 7 for it (that was with considering the judges might boost it up because of the crowd and that feeling you just have inside that a surfer is gonna get a score boosted up). So clearly getting above an 8 is bad judging. However, when Owen surfed his last wave and needed the score, I felt that he didn't get the score, and overall I had this feeling that Adriano won the heat, bad judging aside.
Now this doesn't mean I am satisfied with the result and was stoked to see Adriano win, I did not like the way he celebrated the heat win--It was like he had won the event, his screaming, smacking the board etc. All for a quarter final, especially knowing that Owen was deeply upset on the beach. I know we are all tired of the claiming the Brazzo's have been doing on 6 point waves, but this was next level and I thought it showed no respect at all for Owen. I guess that is all I have to say about this, I hope Owen and Adriano meet again this year in an important heat and the waves are pumping so we can really see them perform!

P.S. claiming like a brazilian will get you a 0.5 higher wave score, this is fact lol.

Cheers
-KM



Here is a replay of the heat, what do you think??