Jack Robinson in the eye of a Banzai monster at last year’s Billabong Pro Pipeline.Credit:Getty
This year’s event has started with two lay-days,but hopes are high on the North Shore that the women’s and men’s competitions will get underway on Tuesday (Wednesday morning AEDT) in favourable six-foot conditions.
Robinson’s prowess as one of the world’s best barrel-riders has him well-placed to start 2023 with a podium finish,particularly given Toledo’s reluctance to take on heavy waves like Teahupo’o and Pipeline last year.
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Robinson had questioned Toledo’s half-hearted attempt in Tahiti last August but played a straight bat to suggestions he held an advantage against the Brazilian in this week’s event.
“We start from zero again,” Robinson said.
“When the waves are good you’re not thinking about your competitors or how they’ll handle that. But Pipeline is its own beast and creates a different environment.
“Doesn’t matter how often you come or even the local guys who push it out there,you still respect that wave like nothing else.”