Kelly Slater (US), 39, claimed a historic 11th ASP World Title this week with his advancement out of Round 3 at the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco.
Slater fought back to an inspired start from opponent Dan Ross (AUS), 28, to claim victory at Ocean Beach in the last few moments
“Rossy (Dan Ross) IOs real dangerous with a little power so I knew he’d be dangerous and I was nowhere to be found in the beginning of that heat,” Slater said.
The iconic surfer from Florida made five of nine Finals this year and posted three wins. He seems to be surfing at the top of his game. “This is pretty fabulous,” Slater said. ” I’ve dedicated my life to surfing and competing and to go a whole year and win a world title and have it pay off, it’s really fulfilling.”
Slater’s clinching of the 2011 ASP World Title on Wednesday comes at the one-year anniversary of the passing of Andy Irons. Irons, who is credited with being a defining force in Slater’s career. Irons was once a bitter rival but became a close friend and confidant to Slater in recent years. The symbolism of today was not lost on Slater.
“It’s a way to celebrate my memories with him and be thinking about him. It’s been on my mind and I wrote a story about him the other day. It’s a time to think back.”
2011 ASP World Title Series Results:
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast: WINNER
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: Equal 5th
Billabong Rio Pro: Equal 13th
Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay: No Show
Billabong Pro Tahiti: WINNER
Quiksilver Pro New York: Runner-Up
Hurley Pro at Trestles: WINNER
Quiksilver Pro France: Equal 5th
Rip Curl Pro Portugal: Runner-UP
Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco: TBD
Billabong Pipeline Masters: TBD
With the 2011 ASP World Title sealed, Slater is now focused on performing in the event at hand, the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco. “I’m refocusing on another win here,” Slater said.
Having claimed his first ASP World Title in 1992 at the age of 20, Slater still boasts the record for the youngest-ever ASP World Title holder. Now at 39 years of age, Slater holds the record of being the oldest ASP World Champion ever, but was characteristically coy regarding any talk of retirement.
“I think 39 is actually pretty young to most people,” Slater said. “I guess in the past, you would top out once you hit 30, but that’s definitely not the case now. I feel like I’m surfing at the highest level of my career and I feel like I can keep going.”
Kelly Slater’s ASP World Title Clinch Locations:
2011: Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco – US
2010: Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico – US Territory
2008: Billabong Pro Mundaka – Basque/Spain
2006: Billabong Pro Mundaka – Basque/Spain
2005: Nova Schin Festival – Brazil
1998: Mountain Dew Pipeline Masters – Hawaii
1997: Expo 98 Figueira 97 – Portugal
1996: Coca Cola Figueira 96 – Portugal
1995: Chiemsee Pipe Masters – Hawaii
1994: Chiemsee Gerry Lopez Pipe Masters – Hawaii
1992: Alternativa Surf Rio – Brazil
The Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco is Stop No. 10 of 11 on the 2011 ASP World Title Series with a waiting period from November 1-12.
See: Kelly takes Billabong Pro Tahiti:
http://stfrancischronicle.com/2011/08/30/kelly-slater-takes-billabong-pro-tahiti-title/
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