Chris Ward, Kelly Slater & Gerry Lopez : photo ASP Kirstin/Covered Images 

Team News

Kelly Slater Tops Chris Ward at Pipeline to Wrap Up 2008 ASP World Tour Season

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 December, 2008 : - -  The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour finished up the 2008 ASP World Tour season in an all-American Final at the Billabong Pipeline Masters, with Kelly Slater (Cocoa Beach, FL), 36, taking his sixth Pipeline Masters title over Californian Chris Ward (San Clemente, CA), 30.

Slater, who clinched his ninth ASP World Title at the Billabong Pro Mundaka earlier this year, capped off his season by claiming another event victory at the prestigious Pipeline Masters on Oahu’s North Shore. Slater dominated the 2008 season, winning six of 10 events held on the prestigious ASP Dream Tour, and donated another spectacular performance at pipeline.

"It’s inexplicable,” Slater said of his win and banner season. “I’m just stoked. I wasn’t even worried about surfing the event, so to surf it and win and get that board (a Gerry Lopez designed surfboard trophy). I’ll cherish that for sure."

Ward entered the second Final of his ASP World Tour career against the seasoned veteran and was unable to find the waves needed to top this year’s ASP World Champ. The second place showing at the Billabong Pipeline Masters was an excellent result for the regular-footer, launching him up to No. 14 on the ratings to finish off the season.

"I placed better than last year and I would have loved that win but Kelly got all the good waves,” Ward said. “It was very hard out there, I think I missed a couple of good ones in the beginning but I am good. I’m happy."

Tim Reyes (Huntington Beach, CA), 26, surfed amazingly throughout the entire event and was stopped short of a Final berth by eventual event winner, Slater, in the Semifinals. The heat between Slater and Reyes was considered by many to be the heat of the day, with both surfers pulling into massive barrels in an attempt to find their way into the Final.

Despite his impressive showing, Reyes was unable to top Slater and finished third at the Billabong Pipeline Masters, moving his overall result on the ASP Dream Tour to 16th to finish off the season.

“I almost beat Kelly which is pretty rad,” Reyes said. “I can’t get mad losing at someone who has nine world titles and it was good to win a couple of heats out here in all-time conditions at one of my favorite waves in the world.”

The Billabong Pipeline Masters also marked the last chance for surfers on the bubble of qualification for the 2009 ASP Dream Tour to secure their ticket into next year’s lineup. Dane Reynolds (Ventura, CA), 23, Taylor Knox (Carlsbad, CA), 37, and Damien Hobgood (Satellite Beach, FL), 29, finished 22nd, 23rd and 24th respectively, all securing their spot on next year’s tour.

Due to an injury sustained while surfing on the North Shore prior to the Billabong Pipeline Masters, Ben Bourgeois (Wrightsville Beach, NC), 30, was unable to compete at the coveted event and was also not able to find his way back on the ASP World Tour for 2009. Bourgeois finished the season rated 32nd overall.

www.aspworldtour.com 
www.aspnorthamerica.org

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Dave Prodan
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Bobby Shadley
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