An update from IBA World Tour Manager Alex Leon (31st Jan 2013 11AM).
The actions to save the Pipe event today are genuine but the primary objective is to hold a Speciality event at Pipe in the original event window so people still get to surf Pipe with only 4 people out for the chance to win money. What is not likely to be on offer is World Tour Points. The media production will be non-existent or very basic. This is what will be confirmed in the next 24 hours. If you can, I suggest holding off cancelling your ticket for 24 hours.
It is with great disappointment that the IBA announce the cancellation of the 2013 Pipe Challenge in Hawaii that was scheduled for February 2013.
The 2013 Pipe Challenge has been forced to be cancelled as a result of the complete lack of industry sponsorship for the event.
The IBA had been in sponsorship discussions with industry companies and out of industry companies for a period of over 6 months. There were a number of positive leads that have fallen away over December and January for various reasons, the most recent being this week. All options have been explored to continue with the running of the event, though the decision taken to cancel the 2013 IBA Pipe Challenge.
“The industry needs to support the IBA World Tour to ensure growth and prosperity for this sport. It’s a sad day for the IBA, its athletes and supporters.” – IBA World Tour Manager, Alex Leon
The Men’s and Women’s 2013 IBA World Tour is now scheduled to commence in Australia in April 2013, with further details to be confirmed in the coming weeks. The DK World Tour kicks off in Peru in March 2013.
For further updates please refer to www.ibaworldtour.com and www.facebook.com/ibaworldtour
