Callum Robson (AUS) won the 2026 Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong, Stop No. 6 of the 2025/2026 Challenger Series (CS). An incredible morning of pumping, ten-to-fifteen-foot wave faces provided a spectacle for the men’s Round of 32, Quarterfinals, and beginning of the Semifinals, with Robson proving he was ready for the task heading into the Finals. CS rankings continued to adjust through the men’s Finals Day, including runner-up Morgan Cibilic (AUS) landing within the Top 10, and Eli Hanneman’s (HAW) qualification for the 2026 Championship Tour (CT) in his fourth-place finish. While CTer Griffin Colapinto (USA) leaves Pipeline with a third-place finish.
Next call tomorrow, Friday, February 6th at 7:15 a.m. HST for women’s Round of 32. The attention shifts to the women’s field as they eagerly await their return to competition to crown the 2026 Lexus Pipe Pro Challenger Presented by Billabong winner.
Callum Robson’s Remarkable Run Takes Him Atop Pipeline Podium
An incredible performance from Callum Robson (AUS) led to his second Challenger Series win. The former CTer’s accolades include a 10-point ride at Supertubos, Portugal, when he was among the world’s best, and a major victory at the 2022 Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro. Now, Robson reemerges as a CT qualification threat after claiming a major win at the Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong. He is now sitting just outside the qualification line at No. 11 on the CS rankings heading into the final event of the season at the Newcastle SURFEST.
“It’s pretty crazy to be honest. It’s not classic Pipeline in that Final, but to be out there with Morgs [Cibilic], and Griffin [Colapinto], and Eli [Hanneman], it’s obviously really good surfers in that heat,” said Robson. “I just can’t believe I’ve just won this competition. From the start of this week and believing you’re going to win the event is pretty crazy. I don’t really know how to feel right now, but I’m tripping.”
“It hasn’t obviously been my best year on the Challenger Series, but being 11th is way better than 30-something that I was coming in here. I just refocused on that little bit of off time off, and I was just stoked to come surf Pipeline. I surfed it on the CT, and I just love this place, I love this wave.”
A gritty Final unfolded in the prevailing winds with a world-class Final ready to battle, which featured multi-World Title contender Griffin Colapinto (USA) facing former CTers Callum Robson (AUS), Morgan Cibilic (AUS), and Maui’s own Eli Hanneman (HAW). Known for his charging and powerful form, Robson earned the first score of consequence, a 6.33 (out of a possible 10), to push his lead over his opponents. But, Colapinto was able to find an impressive Backdoor cover-up that earned a 7.00 along with Cibilic earning a 7.70 before Callum responded back with a lofty full rotation and found a closing hammer turn to post a 7.67 to regain the lead. With time expiring, Ciblic, Colapinto, and Hanneman kept pushing back but couldn’t find the score they needed, ultimately crowning Robson the 2026 Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong.
Morgan Cibilic’s Iconic Runner-up Finish Results in Top 10 CS Ranking
Superheats unfolded right away in the men’s Round of 32 and fireworks ensued between back-to-back CT Pipe Pro victor Barron Mamiya (HAW), former CTers Carlos Munoz (CRC) and Morgan Cibilic (AUS), and local hero Joey Johnston (HAW). Cibilic got into rhythm right away after narrowly missing the exit on a Backdoor cavern before finding himself locked into another brilliant Backdoor barrel, this time reemerging to post a 9.00 (out of a possible 10).
Cibilic carried that form all the way to the Finals, notching a 17.50 (out of a possible 20) heat total to catapult himself into the Semifinals before finishing runner-up. With a runner-up, Cibilic climbed seven spots to now sit at No. 7 on the rankings with a massive opportunity to rejoin the world’s best as he now prepares for the final event of the 2025/2026 Challenger Series season at his home break of Merewether Beach.
“I just felt in the zone. It felt real nice to put up that Quarterfinal performance even though I was a bit nervous at the start,” said Cibilic. “The 9.00 felt really good. I just faded off the takeoff, and I’m just so stoked to be here and lapping it all up. Surfing Pipe with no one else, and it was pretty cooking. Thanks to the locals and the Hawaiian water patrol for getting me back.”
Maui’s Eli Hanneman Officially Requalifies Following Quarterfinals Performance
2024 CT rookie Eli Hanneman (HAW) requalifies for the 2026 Championship Tour (CT) after a triumphant day at Pipeline. Starting the day with the Round of 32, Hanneman sent himself into a hefty barrel section, reemerging for a 9.27 (out of a possible 10) and establishing himself atop the heat. Then, the 23-year-old from Lahaina, Maui, earned an advancing position in his Quarterfinal heat to officially requalify and rejoin the world’s best. A third-place finish at the Ericeira Pro and runner-up at the Saquarema Pro helped push Hanneman to the No. 1 ranking heading into Pipeline, where he completed his requalification campaign ahead of Stop No. 7, Newcastle SURFEST.
“This is crazy. In Brazil, I needed to win the event, and got second, and I just knew it was going to happen here at home,” said Hanneman. “This is better than I could ever imagine. All my friends and family on the beach to congratulate me was so special. It’s weird right now because I’m still in the event, and it doesn’t feel real because I’m still working toward something, which I am. Just looking back on the last few years feels like such a wild ride, but it feels so good to be back.”
CT Mainstay Griffin Colapinto’s Inspirational Run Ignites More Passion At Pipe
Griffin Colapinto (USA) entered this event looking to maximize time in the jersey at Pipeline and accomplished that goal with a major Finals appearance. Colapinto put the Challenger Series elite to the test and what they can expect on the 2026 CT when they join the world’s best, posting multiple excellent scores in his run to the Final. A special moment for San Clemente’s multi-World Title contender, Colapinto, was dedicated to his late grandmother as he returned to Pipe.
“I’m just stoked to be getting more time out at Pipeline with no one out. I’ve had some challenges in the past CT heats finding the rhythm or trusting my wave selection. My grandma passed away three weeks ago. We came out here for this event and found out she was passing away, so Crosby and I flew home, and we got to say our goodbyes and talk to her. She said she was going to come back in butterflies so I feel like I’m dedicating this to my grandma Patty, and I’ve had a lot of heats at this event when I’ve got them out of nowhere.”
Pictured: Pumping conditions will provide more tests at surfing’s proving ground of Pipeline for the men’s Round of 32. Credit: WSL/ Ito
For highlights from today’s Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong, WorldSurfLeague.com.
Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong Men’s Final Results:
1 – Callum Robson (AUS) 14.00
2 – Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 13.37
3 – Griffin Colapinto (USA) 12.17
4 – Eli Hanneman (HAW) 3.07
Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong Men’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 13.10 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 10.83, Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) 8.27, Joey Johnston (HAW) 2.26
HEAT 2: Eli Hanneman (HAW) 12.67 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 5.80, Liam O’Brien (AUS) 5.43, Xavier Huxtable (AUS) 2.53
Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong Men’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) vs. Ryan Huckabee (USA) vs. Jackson Bunch (HAW) vs. Griffin Colapinto (USA)
HEAT 2: Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) vs. Joey Johnston (HAW) vs. Charly Quivront (FRA) vs. Kauli Vaast (FRA)
HEAT 3: Benji Brand (HAW) vs. Xavier Huxtable (AUS) vs. Eli Hanneman (HAW) vs. George Pittar (AUS)
HEAT 4: Riaru Ito (JPN) vs. Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Liam O’Brien (AUS) vs. Jacob Willcox (AUS)
Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong Men’s Round of 32 Results:
HEAT 1: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 15.33 DEF. Joey Johnston (HAW) 11.16, Barron Mamiya (HAW) 5.77, Carlos Munoz (CRC) 3.33
HEAT 2: Jackson Bunch (HAW) 14.77 DEF. Kauli Vaast (FRA) 12.83, Cole Houshmand (USA) 12.83, Lucas Silveira (BRA) 8.83
HEAT 3: Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) 10.00 DEF. Ryan Huckabee (USA) 9.80, Lucas Vicente (BRA) 8.66, Taro Watanabe (USA) 6.66
HEAT 4: Charly Quivront (FRA) 12.10 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 9.93, Ian Gentil (HAW) 9.77, Winter Vincent (AUS) 9.00
HEAT 5: Benji Brand (HAW) 16.80 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 11.00, Mikey McDonagh (AUS) 9.77, Luke Thompson (RSA) 6.53
HEAT 6: Eli Hanneman (HAW) 14.14 DEF. Jacob Willcox (AUS) 10.17, Nolan Rapoza (USA) 9.10, Jackson Baker (AUS) 2.14
HEAT 7: Riaru Ito (JPN) 13.50 DEF. Xavier Huxtable (AUS) 11.73, Adur Amatriain (EUK) 9.94, Shohei Kato (JPN) 3.17
HEAT 8: Liam O’Brien (AUS) 15.93 DEF. George Pittar (AUS) 14.87, Seth Moniz (HAW) 14.67, Shion Crawford (HAW) 6.06
Lexus Pipe Challenger Presented by Billabong Women’s Round of 32 (Heat 2-8) Matchups Remaining:
HEAT 2: Yolanda Hopkins (POR) vs. Tya Zebrowski (FRA) vs. Anat Lelior (ISR) vs. Vahine Fierro (FRA)
HEAT 3: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) vs. Arena Rodriguez (PER) vs. Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN)
HEAT 4: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) vs. Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) vs. Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW) vs. Moana Jones Wong (HAW)
HEAT 5: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) vs. Zoe McDougall (HAW) vs. Eweleiula Wong (HAW)
HEAT 6: Luana Silva (BRA) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Sophie McCulloch (AUS) vs. Alyssa Spencer (USA)
HEAT 7: Erin Brooks (CAN) vs. Francisca Veselko (POR) vs. Anon Matsuoka (JPN) vs. Teresa Bonvalot (POR)
HEAT 8: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. India Robinson (AUS) vs. Sierra Kerr (AUS) vs. Sophia Medina (BRA)
Original Post from this site