With six events left in the 2011 ASP World Tour, ten-time, reigning World Champion, Kelly Slater, has regained the top spot in the World Ratings by winning the Billabong Pro Tahiti. Photo: ASP
Just when you count him out, he rises to the occasion. Every time. And now, with six events left in the 2011 ASP World Tour, ten-time, reigning World Champion, Kelly Slater, has regained the top spot in the World Ratings by winning the Billabong Pro Tahiti. After an historic week of gigantic conditions at Teahupoo, Kelly Slater defeated Josh Kerr in the semifinals and Owen Wright in the final.
“I felt like I finally hit my stride in the semifinals this morning,” Slater said. “In the final, I fell on a couple of waves that were maybe better than what I ended up getting scored on. It put the pressure on me, and took the pressure off him (Wright). He got that really big one at the end that could have gotten pretty close to the score. These are the best conditions this event has ever run in. It’s been a phenomenal week.”
The win was Slater’s 47th World Tour victory in 67 finals appearances.
Jeremy Flores won the Andy Irons Award for his performance yesterday, where he earned a perfect 20.
“Andy (Irons) meant everything to me,” Flores said. “He has been the guy I’ve looked up to my whole life. In heavy waves, in all waves, he was the best and to earn this award is so special for me. He inspired everyone on tour and he’s been my inspiration in Tahiti. I know he was smiling on this event. Thank you Andy.”
The ASP World Tour heads to Long Island, New York on September 4th for surfing’s first-ever million-dollar event. New York, fresh off its skirmish with Irene, will likely play a stark contrast to the conditions at Teahupoo.
ASP WORLD TITLE RANKINGS TOP 5 (After Billabong Pro Tahiti)
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 26,950 pts
2. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 26,500 pts
3. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 26,200 pts
4. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 22,750 pts
5. Owen Wright (AUS) 21,900 pts
