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Miguel Pupo has been a stand-out throughout the contest, yet despite hucks like this he couldn't put it together against Taylor Knox early this morning in their Round 5 clash and leaves San Fran with an equal 9th. Photo: Cestari/ASP
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Early bird gets the worm. Taylor Knox took out Miguel Pupo in the first heat of the day this morning, then went on to take out Kieren Perrow in the Quarters. Photo: Cestari/ASP
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Kieren Perrow needed a good result here in San Fran... and he got it. He floated his way to the Quarterfinals before going down to fellow Tour legend Taylor Knox. Photo: Kirstin/ASP
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Owen Wright looked out of sorts this morning against Joel Parkinson in thier Round 5 heat. Owen settles for equal 9th. Photo: Kirstin/ASP
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They're adorable, but they're also shark bait. It's never a pleasant feeling seeing these guys show up in the line-up, especially after Dusty Payne's fin scare on Day 1. Photo: Nate Lawrence
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Wilko's run met its end in Round 5. He heads to Hawaii on the dreaded "bubble". Photo: Kirstin/ASP
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Joel Parkinson has quietly surfed his way to Finals day, as he consistently had heats in the worst conditions of each day. But with low-tide Ocean Beach pumping in plenty of quality waves, Parko came alive and raced to the Final to face Wonderboy Gabriel
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Kelly fans will do anything these days - including wade through 55 degree (F) water to get a closer look at him. Photo: Nate Lawrence
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That's one helluva jam-packed loser's interview. The King went down to the Kid (Gabriel Medina) today. Yes, the comparisons are flying around. Photo: Kirstin/ASP
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Slater was smooth, but not smooth enough for Gabriel Medina in their quarterfinal clash. Photo: Cestari/ASP
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Aside from Gabriel Medina, Josh Kerr was the stand-out surfer of the event. He went down to Parko in the quarters. Photo: Cestari/ASP
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Parko couldn't pull it together against Gabriel Medina in the Final, though he was happy to be back on the podium after a long dry spell this year. Photo: Cestari/ASP
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Not a bad wrap-around for a 40-year-old. Taylor Knox has been ageless this week. Photo: Nate Lawrence
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Alex Smith and a couple of other San Francisco 49ers showed up to watch contest and meet Kelly. The 'Niners are 7-1 this year, so they've got lots to smile about. Photo: Nate Lawrence
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Perfect track, perfect hack. Gabriel Medina, nabbing yet another sick photo today. Photo: Nate Lawrence
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Despite it being a monday here in San Fran, the beach was absolutely packed when the call was made that we would finish the contest today. Photo: Nate Lawrence
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It's been a blur of success in the back half of the season this year for Gabriel Medina. Photo: Nate Lawrence
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Owen Wright exiting the water quite unhappily after being ousted by Parko in Round 5 this morning. Photo: Dan Warbrick
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Kieren Perrow was another veteran who enjoyed one of his better results in a long time. Photo: Dan Warbrick
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Taylor Knox had another great result today. This season's been one of Knox's better ones in a long time. Photo: Dan Warbrick
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There was much speculation on what the crowds would be like here in Ocean Beach, but day in and day out they crowds turned up. In fact, when Kelly came out of that incredible barrel after the buzzer in his Round 4 heat yesterday, the roars of applause sou
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In the 20 minute break before the Final, Ocean Beach's finest rippers headed out in the water for an expression session. Nate McCarthy took the spoils. Photo: Nate Lawrence