Medina protesting costly interference call
Though contest reports are showing Gabriel Medina has been knocked out of the Rip Curl Pro Portugal due to a priority interfernce, he's lodged a complaint with the WSL against the decision.
The gist of his complaint is that priority judge Iain 'Ratso' Buchanan got a call wrong during his Round of 16 heat against Caio Ibelli when both Ibelli and Medina rode a wave at the same time. Medina rode a short left, Ibelli a longer right, and Medina paddled back out well before Ibelli, thus assuming he had priority.
However, the priority judge gave it to Ibelli, so when the next wave came Ibelli took off and Medina interfered.
The interference happens around the six-minute mark (see video below). However, the waves Ibelli and Medina ride prior to that, which Medina claims dictate the priority, are missed by the broadcast and only shown in replay.
See the Instagram video for simultaneous vision of the waves they rode and the paddle back out afterwards, and Medina's explanation is at bottom.
Gabriel Medina (from Instagram):
I would like to explain what happened in my heat. Caio and I caught the same wave and each went one way. My wave was shorter and his was longer. So much so that while I was back outside, he was still riding his wave.
When I got out the back, I was so sure the priority was mine that I didn't look at the priority sign. To my surprise, when the next wave came, I ended up going because I was sure the priority was mine. I ended up getting an interference.
When I got out of the water I went to talk to the judges. We looked at the open images of the two of us paddling out with an open camera angle. It was very clear that I arrived well before him. And even if I had gotten along with him and had a draw, the priority would be mine by the rule. Because in the wave we surfed together before, Caio had priority 1.
I hope my heat will be re-evaluated because an error has occurred.
Comments
Wow that’s interesting. What now ? It seemed like a unlikely error from Medina who was smoking his opponent by the way. Medina clearly made a error but he has to have a reasonable case given the judges error that lead to it. High stakes for clear standout surfer this year.
Wanker, but he's right. So what happens now?
He's right? He didn't check the flag. In no way is he right
Pretty much splitting hairs, but if you look at the same swell line and pause it Caio is over it and disappears first.
It's irrelevant if one sits or keeps paddling up or down the beach, it even irrelvent who finishes a wave first.
Hard call, but whatever the Judges decide with the flag/signal etc is the call and should have been observed before catching the wave.
I don't agree... Caio spent almost the double time surfing the wave... if you stop the video at the right moment, medina arrived firstly at the take off zone... in addition to that, the decision of the judges, giving priority, must respect the rules... and the rules say that:
"Allocation is based on who the Priority Judge believes has reached the
Primary Take Off Zone first. In cases where Surfers appear to reach the
Primary Take-Off Zone at the same time, priority will go to the Surfer who
did not have the last priority."
In the worst case Medina and caio arrived at the same time... So, Medina should have the priority once Caio had before... It is very clear...
Priority zones are less defined in beachbreaks.
So in effect the priority zone runs in a parallel line to the shoreline just past the point of the breaking waves no matter where the waves are or if they're better or worse waves than where the competitors caught their initial waves.
In that case Caio was clearly back in position first.
It's a technicality that likely Medina didn't realise at the time.
Someone who has won world titles should know that.
Oh and also should know to check the priority light on the beach too.
You said it yourself...it’s very clear...the rules say that “Allocation is based on who the priority judge believes has reached the Primary Take Off Zone first.” The rules don’t say Priority goes to who actually arrives there first. And it doesn’t say Priority goes to the surfer who thinks they arrived there first. This is why it’s essential surfers check to see who actually has priority according to the rules of the game...and not just assume they have priority because of what they believe. Like you say it’s very clear...the priority judge believed Caio got to the primary take off zone first (whether he did or not is irrelevant because that is not the rule...as you said). So, it’s very clear...Caio had priority and Medina didn’t. Caio wins...it’s very clear...very clear
All decision makers, at some point, make a wrong call.
that's why, in relatively decent systems, the right to appeal exists.
The wsl obviously has a process to review these errors.
The facts in this instance are clear, and will therefore reveal whether or not the wsl the process is genuine.
imo
Always check priority
Agreed.
There would've been plenty of line ball and some not so much priority decisions that surfers would disagree with...fluid sport and all that.
Each surfer knows this and has a responsibility to check priority calls that are never made by themselves.
Imagine the precedent it sets...you'll have guys launching out of priority that they didnt agree with then claim a Medina.
Simple rule, simple mistake, own it.
Its a bullshit explanation even if he got out there first theres a big sign saying who has priority he knew it was Caios priority according to teh board but decided he knew better
Said by a guy who fails to look at the judge decision and goes on what he feels is his right. Fails to understand that even if incorrect the judge's call rules.
Like two rats over a stinking bit of cheese.
Just about every pro sport you can think of now has video replay to correct for official errors.
Seems pretty open and shut that this was an error in awarding Priority and should be reviewed and corrected.
Bingo!
Itll be hard to show on replay when they cross the line or hit the post...because there is neither. It's a judgment call.
For instance when I look at the replay i see medina still in whitewater while the other was in clean green and wo gildve said he was in a position to swing...in a shifty setup...first.
There is two peaks at tubos, gabby made it to the first, Caio made it to the other.
regardless, gabby did not have priority.
most entertaining day in surfing since?
Maybe its hard to confirm with limited camera views, but from what we've seen it looks pretty obvious that Medina was hard done by. He appeared to get out the back first, and like he said, if it was even, then priority should've switched. WSL needs to suck it up and correct their error.
Gabriela Madonna was wrong.
She needs to suck it up and repeat last year's performance at Pipe to get her 3rd world title now.
Decisions can be overturn with the assistance of technology on the fly provided its reasonable and beyond dispute, but not after the game/match/set/heat is already finished and a winner declared. I am not aware of that happening in ANY sport.
At the end of the day officials make incorrect calls all the time. That's sport. The only sure thing is "play to the whistle" and in this case that means looking to the beach. Not so hard.
I expect he won't make that mistake again.
I was watching,(Gaby was in the lead) went and made breakfast.
Came back gabby was in second place with less in points and under a minute to go....
That's karma for last year for his behavior against ryan.!
It goes to the pipeline , no questions or complaints!
You can see him putting his hand on Ibelli's back. I guess his God is not helping him cheat.
Perfect opportunity for Gabe to shut up, be gracious and move on. Nope, acts a right cunt once again. A slice of karma for all his grossly over-scored waves.
How is rightfully questioning a poor judging decision acting like a right cunt?
'Grossly overscored' waves? Bullshit pal.......obviously another hater.
I suggest calling Medina an arsehole rather than a cunt.
Then we can rename the comp the Arsehole-o-Meo Pro.
today's winner of the internet
Quality
Yes was a tad nasty however he has dug his own grave. Has been consistently ruthless and Charlie is a lunatic which gets under most peoples collars. At his age in the sport I would have thought you spit it out in the water, cool down and then lodge an official complaint. Go into the change rooms and smash a couple of boards. He has been around long enough to know the ropes.
Gabs will be rightfully questioning himself if his error costs him the world title.
Some people still won't agree with the judging call even after the clarification from the WSL vindicates it, but at the end of the day if Gabs had of looked at the priority flag on the beach, something i'm sure he's done countless hundreds of times in his career now, he'd be in the quarters and closer to stitching up his 3rd title.
If Pipe is solid he's still the clear favourite anyhow with easily the best contest record there of all 5 contenders.
first rule in any sport play the whistle
Yep, he's admitted his mistake, he didn't check priority, learn your lesson and move on.
All other sports that have video overturns are effectively instant, the moment has gone.
Haven't watched the footage. Caio in the other article seemed convinced he was out the back first. Just wondering if angles came into play relative to the main contest area.
"So much so that while I was back outside, he was still riding his wave."
No.
I look at it like this....Bwaaahahahahaha. Play to the ref and shut the fuck up. Mummy & Daddy would both be be having an aneurysm no doubt.
Congratulations Medina, you played yourself.
Hard to draw a conclusion from the footage as to who was "first out the back". Gabs may have been a little further out, but Caio was paddling through green (unbroken) water earlier. The pulled-back camera shot makes it look like there wasn't much more than a stroke or two between 'em.
However, being a mixed peaky beachbreak means the onus should have definitely been on Gabs to watch the priority flag. Again, it's hard to tell but it looks like there was some time between waves too, to gather his thoughts and look back to the judging tower.
If they were surfing a well defined point or reef where it's obvious who's further out - because the waves break in the same spot, so there's a clearer definition between waves and paddlers as they're in close proximity - then perhaps Gabs' might have a point.
But a junky beachbreak, where they're 50-100m apart? Kinda hard to agree with his side of the story. Gotta play by the rules!
Interesting to note that not once in the footage I've seen did Medina even look across towards Caio to see where he was while he was paddling out. How can he then claim he was entitled to priority. That was reinforced by him failing to check the oh so obvious priority lights.
isnt part of the rule thats its the primary part of the bank, which wasnt were caio was?
Medina was far ahead Caio when the interference happened. In my point of view, he is a very good surfer, and knows the rules very well.. if the judge gave the wrong priority, why not give a second chance for both in a new run? For sure the better will win... In doubt, give another chance for a new run, that is my opinion.
Do you play cricket? The ultimate sport where you just have to lump it if the umpy gets in wrong. Tough but that is sport and the judges are human and the WSL is on borrowed funds anyway so he needs to grin and bear it and move onto pipe with a hope that it is still around in another couple of years.
No one with an hispanic or latino sounding name plays cricket buddy lol.
That sports is for British empire countries only.
I was trying to broaden the chaps horizons, so that those from latin countries could get a mindset on the whole idea of English sportsmanship, which is embedded in anglo culture but does not seem to be a part of the latin one....mate. Perhaps I was too cryptic.
Soccer (sorry football is the correct term) is king in those countries.
No other sport will ever hold a candle too it. Same for most of the world.
It's even actually the most popular sport in the old mother country herself.
Without doubt huge but not here! AFL rules in winter and who can not watch a cracking test match in summer. One can fall asleep, totally relaxed, wake up and nothing has happened. Bliss.
Actually i always thought the problem with sport in Oz is it doesn't have a proper nationwide unified sport.
AFL in some states, NRL in others.
Cricket in summer, various footy codes in winter.
Relegate the rest lower get good at soccer (football) do well in or win the world cup in that and then Oz is really on the world stage.
Until then the rest is nothing and not even noticed by the rest of the world apart from a few fellow anglo colonial countries.
In the case of AFL only noticed by Aussie expats and tourists overseas.
Not that anyone really cares much though huh
Wash your mouth out, not care about footy (AFL) the indigenous game...shame on you.
yeah soccer. right
Yes, agree! I guess Medina already moved on and will do his best in pipe.. let's see what will happen... One thing for sure, Medina is one of the best surfer and in this kind of pressure moment he has been showing his best... I will support him, but Brazil is well represented by Medina, Felipe, and Italo..right?
Ratso's great run continues.
He should have checked who had priority, can’t just assume. Simple.
Some good points from everyone especially regarding Gabs being a tool, there's no dispute about that.
In my opinion though and based solely on the video, i reckon the judges fucked up and should have awarded priority to Gabs.
Now i'm gonna go wash my mouth out.
Was that hard to say Zen?
LOL!
Was that hard to say Zen?
LOL!
It looked to me that Ciao was further out quicker and that Gabe was copping waves on the head while Ciao was paddling diagonally. I would have awarded the priority to Ciao at that point therefore agreeing with the judges. Greenwater vs broken water. Close but fair I think.
Especially as it's a shifty beachbreak and waves can break anywhere beyond the broken water.
Everyone who thinks Gabs was hard done by seems to think the 2 surfers were only allowed to surf the peak they caught their initial waves on before the incident.
If Caio had of stayed off that peak the wave was Gab's.
Caio paddled back to the same peak he had priority the wave was his as he was first to get back out beyond broken water.
It's quite simple.
I can understand people watching not getting it at first but a 2 time world champ himself?
Arrogance in light of a big screw up is what i saw not a priority judging error.
What is it with Gabs and Portugal? This hissy fit in 2012(?) on the JW win, now this.
As has been pointed out by others above, play the rules and whistle. He is experienced enough competitor now to know to check the tower for who's got priority.
And if the shoe was on the other foot.............
The shoe was on the other foot last year !
Left or right?
if medina was so sure about his priority, why didn´t he just paddled straight into the wave and wait for his opponent interference call, instead of making a anti-game blockage?? Medina didn´t even tryied to drop in the wave because e knew that it was not his priority. It´s most likely that Medina saw the priority sign for Caio but he didn´t care about the prevailing decision and he just went rebel on it. There might have been bad judgment on the previous priority, but one should not try to frustrate and revenge in consequence during a professional match.
Word
Lanky, what happened last year with Ryan? I can’t recall.
Gabby paddled into Ryan , blocking Ryan from catching wave , Ryan received the paddling interference. Lost heat, Gabby advanced.
Brutal tactic, literally paddled onto Ryan .
Watch heat replay.
The French felt the same way about Wales' try but even after the review the French got on with it. Class.
Bells Brazo call was feral as well.
re: Jordy vacates takeoff zone to 'SIT' inside the lineup [Rule: Priority 'Suspended']
[171.10] Not in zone- Jordy 'unsportsmanlike' interfered- endangering Italo's line.
WSL fell asleep at the disc, endangering a life in big seas & dumped on the victim.
Portugal Brazo interference is also on a gloomy day & involves Sitting inside the zone.
Medina prematurely 'Sits' fractionally short of take off zone to suspend any priority.
We can argue his secondary paddle towards priority zone (justifies judges ruling).
Complete reverse of Jordy's intentional sitting outside the zone was ignored.
By now most are aware 5mins is missing from WSL & YouTube (Yes those 5 mins)
WSL policy is to also film each surfer separately as seen above on insta split screen
Whats most bizarre is this here rogue abuse of WSL personal Cam footage on insta.
WSL competitor's Insta beams 2 reels of WSL Judges private stock or (Contraband)
Sets up his own Insta Judging Panel with his people's verdict..& WSL are fine with this?
A further massive unsportsmanlike breach of fellow competitor,Judges & WSL media.
Crew know WSL go spazz at Tim or any spy photographer that uploads comps.
Checkout WSL Chopper take out a rogue drone (Not back to front- This happened!)
https://petapixel.com/2018/12/04/this-surfing-contest-used-a-helicopter…
Competitors must abide by Media Policy or be fined like all other lowlife paparazzi.
Medina is staring down Interference +Unsportsmanlike Behaviour + Media breach.
3 next level strikes in one day is instant expulsion from tour & $50,000 fines min.
Note: Jeremy Flores was fined & suspended for 2 comps for clapping his hands.
None here care if WSL dish it out fairly...(Did Medina just kiss goodbye to his title?)
Yes and Jeremy travelled on his own without Charlie and the band behind him. He had to suck it up and move on.
Great insight. It is an obvious mistake by Medina. But this is more than that. There should be more consequences for his follow up actions. He can't expect to be able to bully WSL into a decision... He is an incredible surfer, but no surfer should receive "special" consideration... He made a mistake. He plays the most competitive game of all the surfers on tour and in this case his competitive mindset and approach got the better of him. He stuffed up plain and simple. But his follow up actions as you suggest are of serious concern.
There would be literally thousands of surfers around the globe, who have been snaked / burnt by Medina, who are having a good old chuckle at this situation.
Good call Vic I remember seeing a highlight reel a few years ago of Gabs burns. The one he nailed Jordy was impressive and particularly blatant.
When Medina has priority and the lead with a few minutes to go, he just positions himself about 1 meter in front of the other competitor and physically blocks them from even getting to the take off zone. Medina has no intention in catching the wave and yet somehow manages to keep priority simply by blocking the other surfer.
I can't believe judges let him get away with it.
ha so you must hate Gerry Lopez and Tom Carroll!
I would say gabby pulled a T C against Todd Holland manoeuvre.....
Right call with priority allocation.
As someone previously pointed out Caio could have taken off on a wave as he was in clean water, Medina was still in the wash.
Wrong call for Medina not to check the situation. Medina mistake.
Would be interesting to check with the audio to see if the on beach commentators mentioned who had priority after the same peak was ridden. They are always updating this and scores all heat long
The WSL has no backbone to stand up against the loud Brazilians, they will relent and have a surf off.
Medina should have got priority and Caios wave was overscored, Medina's a dick but he was ripped off.......ok ok I have $100 on him to win the title.....maybe that's the problem gambling \corruption who knows , happens in every other sport.
At last someone mentioned Caios score of 3 , very overscored when you look at Medinas 4.5's for complete air rotations , and a 3 for one easy hit...and I am big fan and friend of Caio's!
Forget about the priority call mess up, the worst call of the event was Morais's 7.43 for a 1.3second barrel.
Bloke seems to be involved in more of these things than most.
Remember this one?
So the main thing is we are all agreed, Medina is a tool.
not really.
It's a bit curious.
I've surfed with Medina a few times, never seen him drop in, sure he catches millions of waves but he's scavenging the line-up so hard that it's no biggie.
Meanwhile, Mick Fanning who is regarded as some kind of modern day saint, drops in wildly, is caught on film dropping in all the time (especially at Superbank) and not a word.
Strange double standard.
Yeh Mick's a dog as well mate, pretty sure that's well known around these parts
Mick was the perfect gent at a really crowded 'everyone knows the left hander but I can't say' down here. Just picked off a few and ripped them apart. I was talking to a local at Ulu's last year and he said Medina never dropped in just caught a zillion waves. Man can paddle.
At Bells the Brazzoz are considered gentlemen compared to Aussies and seppos , including Gabe!!
But Mick got bumped by a big whitey at J Bay in front of the whole world! Coulda been gobbled up but bravely punched it in the face and swam to safety.
That's gotta be worth a lifetime of blatant, guilt free drop ins yeah???
Not taking anything away from Mick's bravery that day, but he didn't swim to safety.
He got pulled out of the water to safety.
Thus denying the man in the grey suit a possible round 2 exchange.
Nice guys don't win world titles.
It's the same as you say with all world title winners during their competitive careers one way or another.
And it's a similar story with all pros full stop.
To get as good as they are you need to catch a lot of waves every surf you have.
In a crowded line up where a lot of these guys learnt their crafts would they have gotten as good as they are by being polite sharing waves waiting their turns and never burning anyone else?
They've probably had more waves where they've burned someone for the wave rather than not have.
Refs call. Raiders lost the game on a refs call. Call stands, same deal buddy, you lost.
I reckon we should get an unbiassed outcome and ask Charlie, Medina's stepdad.
I'm with you...Charlie is the key to this mess...and has anybody asked Charlie how he is feeling with all this hooha going on...the poor bloke probably can't sleep
Apparently he went ballistic. Maybe it's a non anglo thing?
Hahaha, and Durk won, it's going to pipe.........hahaha.
So I watched the highlights, you can't actually see the bit where Medina paddles back to priority first.
Derp derpity derp
You can’t script this
Hope Italo goes on to win the comp and put's himself in a good position at Pipe. I'd love to see him win the title.
Me too he is my favourite surfer on tour charges like a maniac and seems like a happy and positive guy
I'd like to see Jordy get it he'd be the sentimental favourite given he's been plugging away at it for the longest time of the contenders now.
Be good to see Toledo get it too he's destiny definitely has world title winner in it, probably more than once.
I don't think Kolohe has been a consistent enough competitor up to this point in his career yet.
He has a chance to be the first world champ that doesn't even have 1 CT victory on their resume.
I don't really rate that.
Italo is somewhere between Jordy/Toledo and Kolohe to me.
But anyone of those guys i hope get it over Medina.
Share that thing around a bit instead of 1 guy getting greedy surfing saw too much of that in the past.
I look at that footage and it is NOT clear that Medina got out the back first. It's not clear either way.
Medina made the mistake by not checking.
Call stands.
Sure the interference & Unsportsmanlike attack on WSL athlete is a sackable offence!
Knowing that WSL & YouTube blanked out this wildcat X rated paddle battle.
It's fair to assume this is the last video they'd authorize...So who stole the tapes?
Please! Don't say Charlie! The world's not fit enough for another Tennis Dad.
Ok! Say Charlie breaks into WSL secret vault to steal arch rivals X File recordings.
Medina screens confidential copyrighted vid to the world on rogue rebel selfie media.
Corruptly edits & DJ's 100% WSL branded X files side by side for his Peepz Vote...
Note Medina like WSL cuts out best bit Dummy Spit in order to rig the vote!
Either WSL allows 100% media piracy or this is highest level copyright fraud.
Medina apologizes + cops fine & walks! or WSL enforce instant season ban + court.
Seen all Aussie bad sports but never underhanded media manipulation by an athlete.
tbb's unfathomobile manual is all at sea...Ok! Here we go....right there in yer face!
Rule 001 [Law of the Sea - Pirates must walk the Plank]
Ignorance is the worst excuse.
It shows Medinas arrogance. Over plays the cutting out game every chance he gets. Dirty tactics are ugly to watch.
You were late on a wave, let it go, 6 minutes in? What’s your problem?
At the end of the day its a judged sport. Its up to the competitor to compete within the judges guidelines be it power and flow in the critical section of the wave or the flag says you don't have priority. Going against the judges is like tackling Chopes on a goat boat, you're definitely going down.
Pretty sure I saw a shark during the live feed. Might be best to give equal points and just move on to the next comp. For safety's sake.
He was throwing chairs up the beach. Instead of being chaired up the beach.
Geez, when did Swellnet comments get taken over by the Stab commentariat?
I come here for the good conversations, the knowledge and intelligence.
You obviously don’t read the politics or climate change threads then?
Jeezus that gets messy
Good point, GF!
It is what it is .
Most interesting day in contest surfing this year.
IB, i don't see anything particularly stab-esk about this thread.
The general consensus seems to be Medina, as a professional screwed up and should suck it up.
Personally, i think he was hard done by.
Also, most people think he's not a particularly gracious sportsman and he has form on this. In real life he's probably a lovely bloke, who knows?
Medina is an amazing surfer but again he is having a public tantrum just like he did in margarets regarding sharks. Using your social media to influence the public’s view on what is essentially an umpiring call stinks like a shitty nappy - maybe his dad will change it for him - he’s never far away. You might have plenty of support in Brazil gabs but perhaps you should consider why in other surfing countries the consensus seems to be that you are a smug, preppy boy who consistently behaves in an unsportsmanlike and entitled manner.
Jeez guys, there are tantrums and dummy spits in all competitive sports where umpires / judges are involved, to name a few AFL,NRL, Soccer, Tennis, Baseball, Gridiron and Surfing.
Surfing would be the most controversial because the scoring is open to so many variables including how much the judge likes a style or prefers one individual over another. So many opinions are offered every contest on controversial, close decisions.
I've seen it all from fathers who control the local board riders club comps by stacking the judging panel with "friends" while their kids surf, to Regional and State Titles to Aussie Titles, even Q S's and beyond having results influenced by localism, or who must be helped through because of whose who and whose up who.
I hate the judging system and think surfing is not conducive to judging.
When blatant cheating is at the core competitors lose it.
From the Medina video comparisons, I think Medina had priority.
Hey! I got my best ever competitive result when my shaper was on the judging panel...
Surfing competitions, so easy to achieve desired results!!
"Look how good vj's board goes...lets give him a ten ! "
tbb in '80 GC Titles Final/ 6 surfers >4 surfer's dads Judging.
4 of judges sons rotated leggie pulling on tbb & grom mate.
We reckon their dad judges ordered the leggy pulls.
We won trophies + tbb's Qld Title invite went in the bin.
tbb informed his club not to raise money for Qld leg!
No regrets!..gave away prizes+ sponsored quiver.
oceans11 proved grom tbb was smart.(All agree Aye!)
PS: tbb shovels deep thru- sad fake Surf sticker history.
Charlie probably ear bashed him for four hours about the unfairness of it all and Gabs complained to shut him up. Right or wrong, not checking priority is a high risk move - he won't do that again.
Lucky Charlie didn't bash the judges from what Sean Doherty reported. Went off his tree just after Joe said how relaxed and chill he was as a person.
Refer to my handle
Surfing is being ruined by the excessively competitive 'tennis tour', most passionately embraced by the Brazilians.
The priority judge's call was probably wrong - doesn't matter, the call was made and it stays. Play on...
In light of the new evidence since presented, the priority judge's call was most definitely correct.
tbb,
I have a list of spicy experiences in the competition world, but one similar to your's occurred around 2004 or '005 at Straddie Island. 4 man heat, 2 Straddie mates conspired to alternatively sit on a competing family member of mine and consequently was not able to get a wave. Eliminated from semis Qld state titles.
Ran it past the Administration on the beach and they just shrugged the shoulders, thought the tactic was o.k.