Kelly Slater : photo ASP Robertson/Covered Images  

Team News

Kelly Slater Wins Bells Riding FCS

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 March, 2008 : - - The phenomenon continues as ‘the greatest surfer of all time’ claims his second event of the year and his third Rip Curl Pro title at Bells Beach riding FCS. The eight time world champion was in devastating form throughout the final day producing an incredible display of progressive power surfing in shifting onshore 3 to 6 foot waves.

In the final Kelly rode his signature K-3 fin to victory over an in form Bede Durbidge. Bede held the lead for most of the final on the strength of two high scoring waves but Kelly fired back in the final minutes. In a calculated move Kelly paddled over to the inside break known as Rincon and destroyed his next wave executing a huge aerial manoeuvre to score an 8.83 and reclaim the lead.

The Bells event proved to be a challenge of adaptation as competitors were faced with conditions varying from three foot clean Winkipop to eight foot onshore Bells Bowl. As the conditions changed Kelly switched between has signature K-3 and K2.1 to give him the security and confidence to perform at his best. After ringing the prestigious bell an elated Kelly commented on his fin choice during the event.

“In the first round the waves were big and stormy on the bowl so I rode the K-3’s, there was some huge sections and I wanted plenty of drive and hold. I switched to the K2.1 when we moved to Winkipop, the waves were super clean and I needed fast response in the tighter sections. For the final day I went back to the K-3 and the worked perfectly”.

FCS Brand Ambassador and former WCT competitor Richie Lovett was on hand at the event and remarked, “Kelly is one of the most diligent and switched on surfers with regards to board and fin design. He constantly evolves his surfing by experimenting with his equipment and he considers fins to be are a major part of that program. He recently made a few changes to his equipment and we are witnessing the results, simply amazing”.

Kelly now takes a commanding lead on the 2008 World Title ratings with two wins from as many starts. The next event on the ASP world tour will see the surfers take on the might and power of Teahupoo. Kelly has won the Teahupoo event in recent years and will be the man to beat as he eyes off his ninth World Title.

The majority of surfers on the World Championship Tour chose to ride FCS in their boards during the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach. By riding the FCS system they were able to fine tune their equipment and change their fins to suits any conditions.

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Richie Lovett

Team - Surfersvillage