Kelly Slater claims 43rd elite tour victory

LIHU‘E — Nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater took out the 2010 Hurley Pro at Trestles in flawless six-foot waves over lethal Australian Bede Durbidge, Saturday.

Event No. 6 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour, the Hurley Pro at Trestles culminated in stunning fashion with the iconic Floridian collecting an unprecedented 43rd elite tour victory, states an ASP press release.

“What can I say? What a week,” Slater said. “We looked at the swell forecast and Pat (O’Connell) and I were talking, going ‘Look what we’re going to get this week.’ I’ve got to thank Bob Hurley and the whole Hurley crew. I think they just brainstormed and put a lot of good ideas together for us. The experience was just awesome.”

The win, his fourth elite tour win at Lower Trestles (2005, 2007, 2008 and 2010), vaults Slater into the ratings lead in his hunt for an unprecedented 10th ASP World Title.

“Looking back at my career, I never would have fathomed a ninth title, let alone a 10th,” Slater said. “I don’t know what to say. It’s still a long road ahead. We still have four events and I’m just trying to soak in this win and not even think about everything right now.”

Slater, who was relegated to Round 5 by Australian Owen Wright, 20, in Round 4, capitalized on the newly-implemented double-elimination round and sprung back with a vengeance after earning a free pass to the Quarterfinals after his opponent, Chris Davidson, was too ill to compete.

“I think the new format is good for the fans,” Slater said.

“They get to see us surf a little more and it was definitely a different mindset for me paddling out yesterday. I was kind of just having fun. I was out there to have a good time and I sort of realized at the halfway mark that I was in a heat. I feel like I sort of blew that heat, but it’s a bonus. If you win you get a round off and if you lose you get to surf again. I think it’s good overall. It does make us surf once more than we would normally, but I don’t mind out here.”

For his efforts, Slater was awarded the biggest prize purse in surfing history — $105,000 — as well as the ASP World Title Race ratings lead.

Australian Bede Durbidge, 27, who defeated Slater at this event in 2006, was unable to repeat the magic this year, but was ultimately thankful for his runner-up finish.

“I’ve got a baby on the way, so it was really good to get a result here,” Durbidge said. “I can’t compete in Portugal. This was an important comp for me. Congrats go to Kelly (Slater). He’s the man out here and his record is second to none and he’s so dangerous. It was good to make the Final. I’m stoked.”

Durbidge’s charge to the Final was no easy task, as the current ASP World No. 8 ousted current ASP World No. 2 Jordy Smith, 22, in their Quarterfinals matchup and Dane Reynolds, 25, in the Semifinals before falling to Slater in the Final.

“Trestles is just a really fun wave and everyone rips out here,” Durbidge said.

“I think putting a bit of pressure on everyone early can make them crumble. That was my plan, but it didn’t work for Kelly. I just did what it took to get through the heats. I had a tough draw there and Dane (Reynolds) and Jordy (Smith) didn’t have the best heats against me, so that was a bonus and I’m happy I made the Final.”

Reigning ASP World Champion and defending event winner Mick Fanning was near flawless throughout the competition, consistently netting high scores with unrivalled speed and power.

However, the Australian’s form fell short in his Semifinal against eventual winner Slater, as he finished Equal 3rd and moved up to No. 5 on the ASP World Title Race rankings.

“I don’t know — when Kelly (Slater) tried to pull those silly tricks, it made my brain explode and it sort of took me too long to get my head back together,” Fanning said.

“It’s all good. It’s a good start to the leg and hopefully I can keep getting through heats. I’m just going to keep having fun and hopefully keep improving my surfing and hopefully keep pushing.”