WORLD NUMBER ONE SLATER HEADS LINE UP OF 254 SURFERS TO CONTEST VODAFONE OPEN 

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 12 March, 2006 : - - THE man considered the greatest surfer of all time is providing organisers of the Vodafone
Surfest presented by Billabong with the best 21st anniversary present they could have wished for – his name at the top of the list of the 254 surfers locked in to contest the $US 75000 Vodafone Open.

The Vodafone Open, the premier event of the Vodafone Surfest presented by Billabong, marks the third stop on the Australian leg of surfing’s professional contest circuit and immediately precedes the Australian tour’s finale at Bells Beach.

Event organiser Warren Smith confirmed today that Slater will again don the coloured rash shirt at Newcastle and head the line up of young rookies and seasoned veterans slotted in to contest the 4-star World Qualifying Series event which runs from April 3 - 9.

“Obviously everyone from sponsors to young kids are absolutely thrilled to have Kelly as part of the thirteen days of full competition which sees over 800 surfers take part in a huge line up of events that make up the Vodafone Surfest presented by Billabong,” a delighted Smith said.

“This year the event racks up its 21st anniversary and to have the world’s greatest surfer competing here, along with the event’s tribute to Luke Egan at the charity ball, is the icing on the cake for what will be a fantastic celebration,” Smith added.

Slater will arrive in Newcastle fresh from a holiday in the Bahamas where he will have relaxed with his daughter, free from the constant demands of sponsors, media and fans. The 2005 world champion and current leader on this year’s tour- after taking out the opening round on the Gold Coast last Friday - won at Newcastle in 2004 but did not contest the event in 2005, despite his attendance.

Slater has attended the Newcastle event more often than not over the past decade, but he hasn’t always chosen  to surf in the contest, sometimes preferring to catch up with his long time friend and four-time world-champion Mark Richards.

Last year’s winner of the event, Gold Coast larrikin Mick Fanning - who has bagged more wins at Newcastle than any other surfer by claiming three titles - is unable to defend his Newcastle crown due to other commitments.

Former world champion and twice winner of the trophy at Newcastle, Mark Occhilupo, comes into the Vodafone Open as the number five seed.

The Vodafone Open boasts fourteen surfers from the elite World Championship tour. Seven of the top eight seeds are Australians, with powerhouse Phillip MacDonald, Trent Munro and Tom Whitaker locking in as second, third and fourth seedings.

www.surfest.com
www.billabong.com

Previous reports:
# 1 : Vodafone sponsors Australias largest festival of surfing 
# 2 : Surfest announce man-on-man format at WQS contest 
# 3 : Surfest announce Snap off the Lip surf film competition
# 4 : Wildcards announced for Surfest Vodafone Open 2006 

# 5 : Surfest ball & expression session tributes Luke Egan 
# 6 : Coming soon
# 7 : Coming soon
# 8 : Coming soon  

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For more information:

Vodafone Australia / Georgina Murphy, 
georgina@pulsecom.com.au 

Cynthia Fernandez / Vodafone Australia,
cynthia.fernandez@vodafone.com

Billabong Australia
Simon Barratt, 
sbarratt@billabong.com.au

Surfest / Paul Scott 
surfestmedia@iinet.net.au 

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