UPDATE: Merewether surfer Ryan Callinan powered into round four of the Pipe Masters with victory over world No.4 Italo Ferreira on Monday (AEDT).
Callinan led early 4.8 to 2.43 and built on that two-wave total with 16 minutes remaining in the 40-minute heat with a 4.67 from a quick tube ride.
He backed that up with a 4.1 with another relatively small barrel with 12 to go to lead 8.77 to 2.43 and leave Ferreira needing a 7.34.
Callinan’s busy approach paid dividends late when conditions closed out and Ferreira was left with no opportunities.
The win put Callinan into finals day at Pipeline, where he will meet Jordy Smith and Conner Coffin in the round of 12.
EARLIER: Ryan Callinan posted the event-high score and total to dominate his round-two heat against Adrian Buchan at the Pipe Masters on Monday (AEDT).
The Merewether goofy-footer, who has already qualified for a return to the championship tour next year, won the trials to gain a start in the world title decider in Hawaii.
Second in his round one heat, Callinan was in control from the outset in round two, earning a 4.83 and 7.67 in the barreling conditions to lead 12.5 to 2.13 and leave Buchan needing two scores.
He then posted an event-high 9.17, standing tall inside another Pipline monster after negotiating a steep takeoff, with just over six minutes left in the 40-minute man-on-man heat.
Buchan, the Central Coast veteran already qualified for another year in the CT, found a barrel in the closing stages for a 4.8 to go down 16.84 to 6.10.
Callinan’s two-wave total was the best of the competition so far.
“I was pretty surprised I did, to be honest,” Callinan said of hanging on at the steep takeoffs.
“I got really nervous before I went out. It was looking pretty big and when I got out there I was just trying to hold my nerves. I’ve never been so scared and happy at the same time. I’m just so stoked just to get some waves and to win a heat is a bonus.”
He faces Brazilian Italo Ferreira in heat one of round three. Callinan, a finalist as a wildcard at the France Pro, can potentially also qualify through the CT with a big result at Pipeline, which could open the door for Australia’s Ethan Ewing to gain a spot through the qualifying series.
Callinan’s friend and countryman Julian Wilson is chasing the world title against Brazilians Gabriel Medina and Filipe Toledo, who are all through to round three.
