DOUBLE VICTORY AS QUIKSILVER’S KELLY SLATER WINS
11TH ASP WORLD TITLE
Quiksilver’s Kelly Slater secured his 11th ASP World Title today at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. Slater, who was erroneously awarded the title last Wednesday, November 2, personally uncovered a mathematical error proving that he had not yet won and immediately reported his findings to the ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals). Slater’s discovery confirmed that he still would need to compete in the final rounds of the Rip Curl ProSearch San Francisco this weekend in an attempt to clench the World Title, which he did in round #4 today against Gabriel Medina and Miguel Pupo.
Remarking on his decision to announce the calculations error to the ASP and fans, Slater remarked: “The decision was pretty easy. That’s why it’s a cliché. You know, your parents always tell you that honesty is the best policy. I just figured that instead of letting any more seconds or minutes pass, with me knowing that, that it was best just to say it. At that point I felt hugely relieved. It stressed me out to know that and not have other people know it.”
“I put together what I thought was a pretty good heat today—it wasn’t spectacular but those waves are hard to ride and hard to pick. It will be fun to go to Pipe and just relax and have fun.”
Slater, 39, is the first surfer to achieve 11 ASP World Titles, an accomplishment spanning two decades of an astounding career during which he has dominated competitive surfing as both the youngest and oldest ASP World Champion. Despite missing July’s South Africa event and being challenged by a new field of opponents, Slater has had an impressive run in 2011, posting threevictories: Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast (Australia), Billabong Pro Tahiti and the Hurley Pro at Trestles, Calif. He also secured two Runner-Up finishes at the Quiksilver Pro New York and the Rip Curl Pro Portugal – a season-longperformance, in part, he attributes to the relief of clinching his 10th ASPWorld Title last season.
Slater won his previous ASPWorld Championships in 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2010. His career victories also include 48 elite tour wins and two ESPN X Games gold medals.
The 2011 ASP World Tour isn’t over yet, the next and final stop is Pipeline, Oahu Hawaii from December 8-20. For more information please go to: http://www.aspworldtour.com/
