Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 10 March, 2006 : - - Kelly Slater (USA), the man considered the greatest surfer of all time, has lived up to expectation once again by winning the first event of the 2006 Foster's ASP Men's World Tour, the Quiksilver Pro presented by Samsung, which climaxed in ultra clean one metre (three foot) waves at Duranbah beach on the southern end of Queensland's Gold Coast today.

Against Australian surfing icon Taj Burrow (AUS), Slater, the seven-time world champion was back to his absolute best, and the 34-year-old wasted no time in securing a lead in the 30 minute final.

 

Thousands of fans cheered on as their surfing heroes went wave for wave, with both Burrow and Slater pulling out all the stops as they vied for the US$30,000 first place winners' cheque and the all important ratings lead in the chase for the 2006 world surfing title.

 

While Burrow waited patiently for the best waves, Slater racked up continuous scores, each wave slightly better than his last. The clincher came in the latter stages, with judges awarding Slater an excellent 9.0 ride, which forced Burrow onto the ropes.

 

 

 

 

Kelly Slater : photo ASP/Robertson

 

 

 

Despite his reputation as one of the most electric small-wave surfers in the world, 27-year-old Burrow was no match today for the 'King', who for the first time since 1998 took top honours in the season's opening event. The final tally - Slater leaving the water on 16.17 points to Burrow's 14.60.

 

“It’s been eight years since I won the first event of the year, it feels awesome, it’s great to get a start like that. I didn’t finish out the year super strong last year, so to start this year in the number one spot feels really good,” said Slater.

 

The win brings Slater one step closer to another record, he is now just one WCT career victory shy of American legend Tom Curren's total of 33, and it is the first time Slater has won one of his sponsor's events since claiming the Quiksilver Pro in Biarritz, France in 1996.

 

The question also begs, will Slater chase his own record, and go for world title number eight? But at this stage, the champ is still undecided.

 

“It’s a real thing on everyone’s minds but it really isn’t in my focus right now. I do think about it, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t... but it’s not keeping me up at night and it’s not waking me up in the morning, it’s just something that could happen,” said Slater.

 

 

 

 

Kelly Slater : photo ASP/Tostee

 

 

 

Burrow was diplomatic in defeat, despite stating his clear intention to win the event after finding renewed hunger following a broken foot that hampered the back end of his 2005 campaign. For his runner-up placing today, Burrow pocketed US$16,000 and slips into second on the world ratings with 1032 points behind Slater's 1,200.

 

“Kelly did well, I didn’t get the wave I needed, but I’m really stoked with the result and to be out in the water competing again,” said Burrow.

 

“It was always going to be a tough challenge for me. I really wanted to pull a ‘Mick Fanning’ [who returned from injury to win last year’s Quiksilver Pro] and come from an injury lay off and win the event. I’ve had a lot of time to think about it and I now have a different perspective and realise the things I have to do to get the results. I feel really focused now.”

 

In this morning's semi-finals, Slater ended tour rookie Bobby Martinez’s (USA) dream run in the Quiksilver Pro. The 23-year-old Santa Barbara surfer failed to find a second scoring ride in the fickle conditions of Duranbah Beach to finish equal third overall in his first top tour event as a touring championship surfer.

 

Martinez accounted for some of the sport's biggest names on his way through to the semi-final eliminating 2000 world champion Mark Occhilupo (AUS) in round two, world-rated number five Phil MacDonald (AUS) in round three, 2002 Quiksilver Pro champion local Joel Parkinson (AUS) in round four and world number four Damien Hobgood (USA) in the quarter finals.

 

 

 

 

Taj Burrow : photo ASP/Robertson

 

 

“I’m pleased with myself to make it this far and it was great experience for me. To lose to Kelly is… well he’s the best so it’s nothing to be ashamed of. There was only really the one good wave in the heat and Kelly got it,” said Martinez.

 

Brazilian teenager Adriano de Souza (BRA) was another rookie who sent a clear warning to the established ranks that the face of this year’s tour has changed with the inclusion of a record 10 new rookies in the world’s top 45.

 

The 19-year-old was eliminated in a much closer second semi of the Quiksilver Pro by Burrow to now be ranked at equal third in the world after his first event as a WCT surfer. The two small wave specialists went wave for wave but Burrow managed a heat high 8.33 score after the midway mark to secure a finals berth.

 

“Getting this result is an amazing accomplishment. I’m very stoked. Hats of to Taj Burrow as he surfed very strong in the semi but I think I made a mark. Surfing against Taj was so good because it made me push myself and I learned a lot from this experience. I’ll go to Bells Beach now with a good mind,” said de Souza.

 

Former three times world champion Andy Irons (Haw) also fell to Burrow, eliminated from the quarter finals to finish equal fifth in his first event of the year.

 

 

 

 

Large spectator crown on hand for the final : photo ASP/Tostee

 

 

The focus of the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour world now shifts to the Rip Curl Pro scheduled for Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia, April 11 – 21st, 2006.

 

Slater also picked up some extra pocket money when he grabbed the Evian Longest Tube Ride Award. Slotting into a deep tube in his round three heat Slater pipped Bruce Irons for the AUD$5000 cash.

For all the video highlights packages, stats, heat results and anything else that may be of interest check www.quiksilver.com  

 

1, 16.17 Kelly Slater  USA
2, 14.60 Taj Burrow  Aus 

 

Semi Final Heat # 1
1,  17.84 Kelly Slater  USA
2,  8.50 Bobby Martinez  USA 

Semi Final Heat # 2
1,  17.00 Taj Burrow  Aus 
2,  15.27 Adriano De Souza  Bra 

 

 

1 Kelly Slater (USA) 1200
2 Taj Burrow (Aus) 1032
3 Adriano Souza (Bra) 876
3 Bobby Martinez (USA) 876
5 Andy Irons (Haw) 732
5 Damien Hobgood (USA) 732
5 Taylor Knox (USA) 732
5 Raoni Monteiro (Bra) 732
9 Joel Parkinson (Aus) 600
9 Tom Whitaker (Aus) 600
9 Travis Logie (Afr) 600
9 Troy Brooks (Aus) 600
9 Darren O'Rafferty (Aus) 600
9 Marcelo Nunes (Bra) 600
9 Greg Emslie (Afr) 600
9 Pancho Sullivan (Haw) 600
17 Mick Fanning (Aus) 410
17 Phillip MacDonald (Aus) 410
17 Trent Munro (Aus) 410
17 Nathan Hedge (Aus) 410
17 Bruce Irons (Haw) 410
17 C.J. Hobgood (USA) 410
17 Cory Lopez (USA) 410
17 Jake Paterson (Aus) 410
17 Dean Morrison (Aus) 410
17 Paulo Moura (Bra) 410
17 Daniel Wills (Aus) 410
17 Peterson Rosa (Bra) 410
17 Toby Martin (Aus) 410
17 Roy Powers (Haw) 410
17 David Weare (Afr) 410
17 Mikael Picon (Fra) 410
33 Fredrick Patacchia (Haw) 225
33 Victor Ribas (Bra) 225
33 Mark Occhilupo (Aus) 225
33 Richard Lovett (Aus) 225
33 Tim Reyes (USA) 225
33 Chris Ward (USA) 225
33 Michael Lowe (Aus) 225
33 Luke Stedman (Aus) 225
33 Adrian Buchan (Aus) 225
33 Shaun Cansdell (Aus) 225
33 Pedro Henrique (Bra) 225
33 Yuri Sodré (Bra) 225
33 Jarrad Howse (Aus) 225
33 Bede Durbidge (Aus) 225

 

 

Scores/Results/Photos/Videos etc  

 

 

 

 

Kelly Slater : photo AS Robertson

 

 

 

KELLY SLATER (USA) REMPORTE LE QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST
ET PREND LA TETE DU CHAMPIONNAT DU MONDE DE SURF MASCULIN 2006
 

 
Kelly Slater (USA), considéré comme le meilleur surfeur de tous les temps, vient de remporter la première compétition du Championnat du Monde de Surf WCT 2006 dans des vagues de un mètre à Duranbah Beach à l'extrême sud de la Gold Coast australienne (Queensland) cette nuit. En finale, le septuple Champion du Monde de 34 ans, au sommet de son art, a éliminé l'un des cadors du Tour, l'australien Taj Burrow.
 
Portés par des milliers de fans, les deux rivaux ont opté pour des stratégies différentes. Tandis que Slater ratissait toutes les vagues pour améliorer petit à petit son score, Taj, lui, attendait les meilleures vagues pour tuer la compétition.

L'assiduité de Slater a fini par payer lorsque les juges lui ont finalement accordé 9 points sur 10. Acculé, Taj, pourtant réputé pour son excellent surf en petites vagues, n'a jamais pu revenir sur le King et s'incline en finale par un score de 14.60 contre 16.17 points pour Kelly Slater.
 
"Cela faisait 8 ans que je n'avais pas gagné le premier événement de la saison. Ca fait un effet incroyable, c'est formidable de pouvoir débuter comme ça. Je n'ai pas fini très fort ma saison l'an dernier, donc j'apprécie vraiment de débuter celle-ci avec la place de leadeur." déclarait Slater après sa victoire.

Avec cette nouvelle victoire, Slater est désormais tout près de faire tomber un nouveau record. En effet, le floridien n'est plus qu'à une victoire en WCT du total de 33 remportées par la légende du surf Tom Curren. C'est aussi la première fois depuis 1996 et le Quiksilver Pro à Biarritz, que Slater s'impose en WCT sur une épreuve organisée par Quiksilver.
 
Malgré ce succès, Slater n'a toujours pas annoncé si il va briguer un 8ème sacre mondial cette saison.

"Je sais que c'est une question qui préoccupe pas mal de gens mais ce n'est pas ma priorité pour le moment. Bien sûr j'y pense, je mentirais si je disais le contraire... mais ça ne m'empêche pas de dormir. C'est juste une probabilité." indiquait le Champion du Monde en titre au sujet de la poursuite de sa carrière en WCT.
 
La prochaine manche du Tour Pro Masculin WCT 2006 se tiendra du 11 au 21 Avril à Bells Beach, Victoria, Australie.
 
Rappel : C'est Melanie Redman-Carr (Australie) qui a remporté le ROXY PRO GOLD COAST devant sa compatriote et ancienne Championne du Monde Layne Beachley (Australie) Information, photos, résultats : www.roxy.com / www.aspworldtour.com

 

Classement WCT masculin après le Quiksilver Pro presenté par Samsung, Gold Coast (Australie) 2006
1. Kelly Slater USA 1200 pts
2. Taj Burrow AUS 1032
3. Bobby Martinez USA 876
3. Adriano de Souza BRA 876
5. Andy Irons Haw 732
5. Taylor Knox USA 732
5. Raoni Monteiro BRA 732
5. Damien Hobgood USA 732
9. Joel Parkinson AUS 600
9. Troy Brooks AUS 600
9. Greg Emslie ZAF 600
9. Travis Logie ZAF 600
9. Tom Whitaker AUS 600
9. Marcelo Nunes BRA 600
9. Pancho Sullivan HAW 600
9. Darren O'Rafferty AUS 600