I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Unbelievable as it is, surf journalists don't know everything, and at best we suck up theories and predictions out of our holes in order to get catchy headlines and a couple of eyeballs on our content.
Thus the previous piece about Jordy Smith winning at Rio was interesting if a little twee, but left me nowhere to go when it came to a second article on Rio.
So I have allowed more than one surfer in the category entitled ‘Should Win Rio’ and will probably run with the theme a few more times. So be warned.
Gabby Medina is frothing for a big win. With only one Championship Tour victory last year at the newly named OuterKnown Fiji Pro, he is short of the glory and adulation that comes with Championship Tour victories, and if memory serves me well, he has yet to snatch a win in Rio.
Gabby is the sort of surfer who flourishes on wins. He seems to grow in visible positivity after a victory, and I guess as most surfers do, he works well when he starts string together a couple of good results. Thing is, he hasn't felt that rush since 2014, when his three Championship Tour victories culminated in a world title. That year it was the controversial final at the Quiksilver Pro God Coast that started off the run, went on to the Fiji Pro, and culminated with the Billabong Pro Tahiti. Enough points to see him win his first world title.
Gabriel also does well in front of a home crowd. He thrives on the support and relishes in the rugby scrums that happen on the beach after his heats. The girls love him and the amount of attention is sometimes tantamount to a mini-riot, only calmed down somewhat when Charlie steps in and protects his son as if he were a baby.
He’s not, and he loves to punt man-sized moves in the air, and loves a good tube. Gabby, as we all know by now, is equally adept on his backhand as he is on his fronthand when it comes to air moves, as well as barrels. He will enjoy the Squarema bowls.
Gabby is also finding himself sitting at 11th on the Jeep Leaderboard, a fairly lowly spot for the former champ, and it must cause him some chagrin to see Caio Ibelli, Filipe Toledo and Adriano de Souzaall sitting comfortably above him, as well as guys like old-schooler Parko and injury recovery Owen Wright.
Gabriel just needs to feel comfortable in the conditions at Saquearema and then combine his hunger for victory with his air game. There are the three elements that are needed.
The Championship Tour is a different place from two years ago however, and despite the surfers above him on the rankings, there are also a bunch of younger surfers snapping at the heels of the established surfers. Guys like Connor O’Leary and Zeke Lau are rearing to go, and want a few more opportunities to prove themselves. Connor Coffin also needs a clear run to get going, and Italo Ferreira is so dangerous when he gets going as well.
It’s a big and tight field heading for Brazil, but Gabby should be up there at the top. In the cycle of competition, his time is coming back.
