Kelly Slater defeats Gabriel Medina to win Volcom Fiji Pro

Kelly Slater © ASP / Scholtz

Volcom Pro Fiji

ASP World Championship Tour Men's Event
Cloudbreak, Fiji
3 - 15 June 2012

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Kelly Slater defeats Gabriel Medina to win Volcom Fiji Pro at Cloudbreak

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 11 June, 2012 : - - Cloudbreak, Tavarua, Fiji Kelly Slater (USA), 40, reigning 11-time ASP World Champion, claimed his 49th elite tour victory today, taking out the Volcom Fiji Pro over Gabriel Medina (BRA), 19, in pumping four-to-six foot (1.5 2 metre) surf at Cloudbreak.

Event No. 4 of 10 on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, the Volcom Fiji Pro culminated in exciting fashion today, with Slater and Medina each pushing the limits of high-performance surfing at the famed, oceanic lefthander.

Slater wasted no time in the Final against his young opponent, grabbing an 8.33 and a 9.83 in the opening half of the bout to put Medina on the ropes. The Brazilian, however, would not back down, claiming an 8.60 to put himself back in the hunt. Slater limited his scoreline to his two opening rides, and it proved enough for the Floridian to scalp the win as well as his first man-on-man victory over Medina.

Kelly Slater © ASP / Kirstin

Its about time I got him, Slater said. He had my number in the back half of last year and hell probably go on to beat everyone for the next 20 years. He can do it all and I think he proved that to a lot of people this week at Restaurants and out here at Cloudbreak.

Slater sent his first shots across the bow today during the Semifinals when the phenomenal natural-footer posted his second Perfect 10 of the event for a series of deep tube rides and critical turns.

Thats probably the best I could surf out here, Slater said. The barrel and the turn sections just lined up for me and I was able to do what I did. That was a perfect canvas for me.

Kelly Slater © ASP / Kirstin

After an absence at the previous event in Rio de Janeiro, Slaters win in Fiji bolts him up from 8th to 2nd on the ASP World Championship Tour ratings.

I think everyone who competes on tour is here to win, Slater said. If youre winning events, then youre winning world titles. At this point in my career, Im probably more focused on surfing well though. The waves just pumped today. Some guys win, some guys lose, but everyone is happy if the waves are good.

Medinas Runner-Up finish at the Volcom Fiji Pro rockets the young goofy-footer from 29th to 13th on the elite ASP World Championship Tour ratings.

"Im pretty happy with my result, Medina said. The waves here have been so good all week and it has been a great trip. I havent had the best season in terms of results but Im very happy to make the Final and congrats to Kelly (Slater) he was surfing amazing all event.

Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, two-time ASP World Champion, has taken over the ASP WCT ratings lead with his Equal 3rd place finish at the Volcom Fiji Pro. A standout performer throughout the event, even having a crack at Cloudbreak during Fridays mega swell, Fanning was unable to find a rhythm in this mornings Semifinal bout with Medina.

Found myself on the wrong side of the rhythm this morning, Fanning said. Its a bummer, but those heats happen. The ratings lead is great, but its so early in the season that it doesnt necessarily mean anything at this point. That said, Im feeling good and feel like Im surfing well so Im pumped.

C.J. Hobgood (USA), 32, who along with his brother Damien are both hugely respected for their prowess in Fijian waters, went on a tear in his Quarterfinal bout against Adriano de Souza (BRA), 25, this morning, scoring a 9.97 in the dying moments to advance through to the Quarterfinals.

It was a blessing that wave came and it did, Hobgood said. I knew Adriano (de Souza) was going to post huge scores and he did. I wasnt on my game at first. I should have sat up top and Adriano had me on the ropes. Hes been surfing so well this year and I dont think hes had a worse event than the Semis. That wave came and I just put my head down. That feeling when they read out the score, it just feels good.

Hobgoods momentum, however, would run out in the Semifinals against eventual winner Slater. His Equal 3rd place finish moves him from 15th to 12th on the ASP World Championship Tour ratings.

The next stop on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour will be the Billabong Pro Teahupoo from August 16 27, 2012.

Mick Fanning © ASP / Kirstin

VOLCOM FIJI PRO FINAL RESULTS:
1 Kelly Slater (USA) 18.16
2 Gabriel Medina (BRA) 10.87

VOLCOM FIJI PRO SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.93 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 6.57
SF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 19.50 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.50

VOLCOM FIJI PRO REMAINING QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 3: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.57 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 7.76
QF 4: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 16.14 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.76

CURRENT ASP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR TOP 5 (After Volcom Fiji Pro):
1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 24,750 pts
2. Kelly Slater (USA) 23,700 pts
3. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 23,700 pts
4. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 22,400 pts
5. Taj Burrow (AUS) 20,950 pts