Fiji Super 8
The super 8 list of Fiji is just incredible. Sometimes the predictions surprises you and brings disagreement, but for Fiji the predictions are exactly what I would expect.
Picking the best 8 surfers is not an easy task. The trend is mainly the same: the top ones are obvious and as you approach the 8th spot things start to get harder and several variables come into play.
After the event of Saquarema there were two new features on Fantasy Surfing Tips. Those were crafted to help you search and analyze surfers in a statistical point of view. Remember that year when Owen Wright achieved two perfect heats? You can view the stats results of that championship here. And if you want to see a summary of how a surfer is performing through the season statistically, just check the Stat Rank. It will give you a great overview, the most points a surfer has, the best is the combination of average scores and winning percentage.
The performance projection was used to pick the super 8 for Fiji: it takes in consideration only averages and winning percentages; doesn't look at surfer's position on venues. This specific projection would have made 3,783 points so far, 80% of the 4,728 maximum. With all set and a better background we present you the best eight surfers for Fiji.
John John Florence — $11,750,000
- Event Average Score: 14.57
- Event Winning Percentage: 65%
- FS average points: 133
JJF has one of the best stats at Fiji. He has the third best winning percentage, only Slater and Medina have better results. What guarantees JJF in first position is his year stats, the surfer leads the Stat Rank with the maximum possible points: 100. It means that he has the best winning percentage and average heat score of the season. To close the deal he has never lost the rd3 of Fiji.
Kelly Slater — $7,500,000
- Event Average Score: 16.11
- Event Winning Percentage: 77.78%
- FS average points: 176
Kelly is the king of Fiji. He owns the best event average heat score, best winning percentage and best average fantasy surfer points. First place in all stats specific to the venue. Kelly, however, sits at #19 position of the Stat Rank, that's the only reason why he is not on the first position of the super 8. Kelly has also not lost on the rd3 of Fiji since 2012.
Owen Wright — $9,250,000
- Event Average Score: 15.61
- Event Winning Percentage: 62.5%
- FS average points: 152
Owen has amazing aggregate stats at Fiji and fights hard for the first positions. He has the second best event average heat score, fourth winning percentage at Fiji and third best average FS points. Owen has shown amazing performance at the venue in the past, his last appearance was amazing: best AHS and winning percentage of Fiji 2015. The surfers is on #4 spot at Stat Rank this year.
Gabriel Medina — $10,000,000
- Event Average Score: 14
- Event Winning Percentage: 75%
- FS average points: 160
Medina really knows how to win heats at Fiji. Although the surfer has the 7º best event average heat score, he has the second best winning percentage and average FS points. The surfer won 18 of the 24 heats surfed there since 2012.
There is a fun fact about Medina and Fiji, a trend with no logic. In Fiji he does great on even years (semis at 2012; won 2014; won 2016) and bad on odd years (rd2 at 2013; rd3 at 2015). Following this trend we might not see a good result this year.
Mick Fanning — $6,000,000
- Event Average Score: 13.55
- Event Winning Percentage: 58.62%
- FS average points: 136
Besides Fanning's great ability in almost all types of waves he has a really low cost at the moment. The lowest price amongst the super 8. If you have picked him at Saquarema you should consider keeping him on the team. And if you pick him at Fiji you will definitely maintain him for next event. He is the king of J-Bay.
Although Fanning sits on #11 on WSL season, he is on #6 on Stat Rank. It basically means that his position on the season does not reflect his surfing. Fanning has the 6º best winning percentage and 8º best event average heat score of Fiji, still a top 8 on all stats of the event. Since 2012 the surfer does not loose on rd3, another reason to choose or keep him at your picks.
Jordy Smith — $12,000,000
- Event Average Score: 14.2
- Event Winning Percentage: 50%
- FS average points: 94
Although Jordy does not have a high winning percentage at Fiji the surfer has a great average scores at the venue (5th best mark). The surfer lives a great career momentum and is on #3 of Stat Rank. His season numbers guaranteed his spot here.
Adriano de Souza — $9,750,000
- Event Average Score: 12.62
- Event Winning Percentage: 52.63%
- FS average points: 99
Amongst the super 8, De Souza is the one with lowest venue stats. He has not lost on rd 3 this year, just like Owen and Jordy, and sits on #2 on Stat Rank. For sure he is a surfer that will do great in all Fiji conditions. During the last five years he has achieved quarterfinals three times.
Joel Parkinson — $8,750,000
- Event Average Score: 14.95
- Event Winning Percentage: 58.82%
- FS average points: 114
The unique reason Joel is not in a higher position is because of his season stats. The surfer has the third best event average heat score and fifth best winning percentage at Fiji. Since 2012 the surfer does not loose on rd3 of Fiji, however he has not advanced quarterfinals.
The super 8 total cost: $75,000,000
The projections for Fantasy Surfer are getting better. Now it starts to show consistency and good results. If you want to check the picks considering the salary cap, just try the FS Fantasy Simulator and choose the projections you like the most.
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