The holding period for the 2008 Billabong Pipeline Masters at the infamous Banzai Pipeline, began three days ago.  The swell wasn’t much on Monday, but the guys were able to catch some amazing winter waves on the North Shore Tuesday morning and again on yesterday. 

Joel Parkinson (AUS) made history by scoring two perfect 10s.  The awesome Aussie is the only surfer to earn a perfect 20 out of the 20 heat total at Pipeline.   

Nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) is the only other surfer to score a perfect 20 out of 20.  He scored that in the 2005 final at Teahupoo, Tahiti and went home as the winner.

Yesterday Slater surfed his first heat since his ASP World Title No. 9.  He has won the Pipeline Masters five times, but has indicated he’s taking a laid back approach to the 2008 event. 

There is only one more day needed to wrap up the competition.  But event organizers predict that they will continue the event on tomorrow, when the weather conditions are better.

More than $800,000 will be disbursed during this year’s Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.  Event competitions consisted of: the Reef Hawaiian Pro, Haleiwa; the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing, Sunset Beach; the Roxy Pro, Sunset Beach; the Billabong Pipeline Masters, Pipeline; and the Billabong Pro Maui, Honolua Bay, Maui.

Who do you think will go home with this year’s title?  Let us know.