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Kelly Slater achieved a few extra milestones in winning the Rip Curl Pro as he now equals Tom Curren's (USA) record for having won 33 Foster's ASP Men's World Tour events, the most in pro surfing history.
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Thursday 20 April, 2006
Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia
RIP CURL PRO SURF AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
(11 April to 21 April)
EVENT #2 ON THE 2006 FOSTER'S ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) MEN'S WORLD TOUR
Live on www.aspworldtour.com and www.ripcurl.com
SLATER RINGS THE RIP CURL PRO BELL IN 2006
In what has been called one of the best finishes to a pro surfing event ever, the Rip Curl Pro has been won by Kelly Slater (USA).
Defeating Joel Parkinson (AUS) in amazing three metre (eight to 10 feet) freight training waves at Bells Beach, Australia, it was the first time he has scored a victory at the event since 1994.
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Despite the chilly weather, a large crowd turned up for the final day of the Rip Curl Pro.
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Slater showed his true class peaking just at the right time in the final.
"It's been years and years since I've had a good result here and it has been a little frustrating for me," said Slater. "But this year I stuck to my game plan and just worked with everything and relaxed.
"Luckily we had good surf for the event and I tend to do a lot better when it's big here rather than when its small," Slater continued. "I really went for it on that 9.67 but other than that it was really hard to score big with the wind picking up five to 10 knots or so in the final. It was just an awesome day and for sure the best day I've ever had at Bells in my lifetime."
Slater also achieved a few extra milestones in winning the event equalling Tom Curren's (USA) record for having won 33 Foster's ASP Men's World Tour events, the most in pro surfing history.
"I didn't think of it until after I got out of the water, but I tied Tom Curren's 33 event wins now," said Slater. "I'm just happy with that and to do it at Bells Beach is ironic since this is where Curren won his first title - he's just always been my hero so I'd like to dedicate this win to Tom."
As far as finishing the rest of the tour goes Slater did not give an indication regarding his thoughts either way.
"In a way [it makes sense to have a real dig at the world title this year] but it might also be fun not to..."
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Mick Fanning finished equal fifth, losing out to Joel Parkinson in the quarterfinals.
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It was also the first time he has defeated Parkinson in a man on man heat on the Foster's ASP Men's World Tour.
Parkinson who had to surf four times today and had to hold off some strong challenges from Mick Fanning (AUS) in the quarter finals and then Mark Occhilupo (AUS) in the semi finals, admitted that he was "burnt out" come final time and couldn't find his best form.
Slater, however threw his all into the final notching up that 9.67 on a sizeable wave after he executed some scintillating top turns that threw loads of spray into the sky.
From there Parkinson was on the back foot looking for a clean wall that would enable him to take it to the eventual champion.
A few passed by but it was evident that Parkinson had fallen victim to fatigue and the cold and could not get into the correct position to catch them.
"It was a hard final," said Parkinson. "The tide was starting to get to it and it was really about choice of waves. I started getting cramps yet I kept saying to myself, ‘If that wave comes I'm going to give it 100 per cent,' but it never really came, so I sat there and let the time tick.
"It's really punishing on the body. Just when you finish the wave at Bells, you have to deal with the shore break on the paddle out... there's no let-up. Very rarely do you get out clean without having to make a few duck dives or taking a few on the head, so it definitely takes it out of you."
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'It's been years and years since I've had a good result here and it has been a little frustrating for me,' said newly crowned Rip Curl Pro winner Kelly Slater. 'But this year I stuck to my game plan and just worked with everything and relaxed.'
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Parkinson is now sitting in number three on the ratings and will take the confidence from the finish here into the next event with the hope gaining a victory.
Finishing in third place and gaining his best career result to date was Luke Stedman (AUS) who was ousted by Slater in the first semi final.
Surfing with newfound confidence, Stedman was solid in his performance and had Slater on the ropes for part of the semi leaving him needing a big score to catch him.
Stedman took off on a solid wave that could have closed the door on Slater but faltered on a big turn. That mistake in turn gave Slater a clear passage into the final, but Stedman will use the experience as a learning curve for next time.
"Kelly is both a great surfer and great competitor and I really enjoyed surfing against him," said Stedman. "I'm sure he attacks each heat the same way I do. You're out there to get the best waves no matter what and that's all it takes to win semi finals. I've never been this far in an event before so it was a really good experience. I know how to tackle it next time and I'll go into it with a bit more aggression from the word go."
Now sitting in number 11 on the Foster's ASP Men's World Tour ratings Stedman is in the best position of his career and he now realises that a win is certainly not out of his grasp.
"I'm now in a great spot on the ratings and I'm going to get the sheet and show everyone [laughs]. It's given me confidence now as I know a win is achievable," said Stedman. "The intimidation is going now and I know what it takes to win heats. I used to look at the draw and go, ‘wow Kelly Slater, Andy Irons' but now I feel much more confident. I'm just going to train and surf and get myself into a mental state so I can have consistency for the rest of year."
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'It's really punishing on the body,' said runner up Joel Parkinson (Aus) of the wave at Bells Beach. 'Just when you finish the wave at Bells, you have to deal with the shore break on the paddle out... there's no let-up.'
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Also finishing equal third was the "Raging Bull" Mark Occhilupo (AUS) who at 40 years of age is surfing better than when he won the event in 1998.
His earlier event match-up with Andy Irons (HAW) in the quarterfinals has been claimed as being one of the best heats of all time.
Occhilupo was obviously disappointed in not going all the way, given he was so close to a shot at ringing the bell, but commented that he is still eager to compete in this event even if he decides to retire at the end of the 2006 season of the Foster's ASP Men's World Tour.
"I was a bit disappointed because I was having some problems with my equipment out there," said Occhilupo. "But I've really enjoyed surfing out here today and I reckon it won't be the last time I come back to Bells for this event. It was a great result for me at this stage of my career."
Occhilupo was clearly the sentimental favourite of the Rip Curl Pro and huge cheers went up every time he paddled for a wave.
He even took out the Ford Ute Wave Of The Event Award for his efforts in the quarterfinal and claimed an extra $AUS1,000 for his troubles.
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Mark Occhilupo put on an ominous performance on the opening heat of the final day defeating Taj Burrow. Occy loves Bells at 6ft plus with these clean long walls!
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When he left the water after his semi he was mobbed by all and sundry as they tried to get close to their hero.
"The support from the crowd here today has been amazing," said Occhilupo. "They've been behind me all the way and I'm also a little disappointed I couldn't give them something back. I love coming here... I'd like to congratulate Kelly and Joel and thank all the crowd for coming down here today."
All eyes will now turn to the next event on the Foster's ASP Men's World Tour, The Billabong Pro which kicks off in two weeks time in Tahiti.
Results:
Quarter Finals
Heat 1: Luke Stedman (AUS) 14.67 def Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 14.23
Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.40 def Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.57
Heat 3: Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 18.83 def Andy Irons (HAW) 11.77
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.00 def Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.40
Semi Finals
Heat 1: Slater 14.44 def Stedman 12.93
Heat 2: Parkinson 15.34 def Occhilupo 14.83
Final
Slater 15.44 def Parkinson 13.83
Ratings after event #2 on the Foster's ASP Men's World Tour:
1. Kelly Slater (USA)
2. Taj Burrow (AUS)
3. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
4. Bobby Martinez (USA)
5. Andy Irons (HAW)
6. Taylor Knox (USA)
7. Greg Emslie (ZAF)
7. Pancho Sullivan (HAW)
9. Mick Fanning (AUS)
9. Damien Hobgood (USA)
For the full ratings rundown and Rip Curl Pro results go to www.aspworldtour.com
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Bells Beach fired up for the early morning heats. Pancho Sullivan drives off the bottom on a classic Bells Beach wall.
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Wednesday 19 April, 2006
Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia
RIP CURL PRO SURF AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
(11 April to 21 April)
EVENT #2 ON THE 2006 FOSTER'S ASSOCIATION OF SURFING PROFESSIONALS (ASP) MEN'S WORLD TOUR
Live on www.aspworldtour.com and www.ripcurl.com
INCREDIBLE CONDITIONS PREVAIL FOR RIP CURL PRO ROUND FOUR
Rip Curl Pro organisers were greeted by classic waves at Bells Beach, Australia this morning and surfers competing in the remaining two heats of round three and those in the first five heats of round four put on some of the best displays seen in the event in years.
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Hawaiian Andy Irons stayed true to form, taking a heat win over Bobby Martinez (USA) to advance to the quarterfinals.
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But with conditions deteriorating due to the high tide, organisers of the event, which is the second of 12 on the Foster's ASP Men's World Tour, were only able to complete the total of seven heats and will look to wrap up tomorrow with the winner being crowned around 1pm.
In an interesting twist to the event it was the lower ranked surfers who grabbed the spotlight today with names such as Luke Stedman (AUS), Sean Cansdell (AUS) and Bede Durbidge (AUS) notching up some tremendous performances in front of the heaving crowd.
Stedman defeated Pancho Sullivan (HAW) in heat one of round four, Cansdell took down Paulo Moura (BRA) in heat two and Durbidge knocked out Bruce Irons in heat three.
Kelly Slater (USA) and Andy Irons (HAW) meanwhile stayed true to form and eliminated Taylor Knox (USA) and Bobby Martinez (USA) respectively in heats four and five.
For Stedman, the result today equals his career best fifth placing at Jeffreys Bay in 2005.
He was elated with his win over Sullivan who to this point has been one of the standouts of the event.
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Brazilian Paulo Moura was eliminated in his round four heat but rookie Australian Shaun Cansdell.
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For Stedman his tradesman-like display of consistently radical surfing prevailed for him in the end.
"I have a huge grin on my face at the moment," said Stedman. "It's an unreal feeling. It's great to be at Bells today because conditions are unreal. I'm enjoying every minute of it."
Stedman was wary of Sullivan's incredible power-surfing and knew that the result could easily have been swayed by one wave as Sullivan was only chasing an average score of 5.93 to overtake for the lead.
But Sullivan was struggling to complete his waves while Stedman was polished to the end.
"I was a bit nervous towards the end of that heat as Pancho only needed a 6.0 or so," said Stedman. "I was always on edge with him because he has such an incredible forehand attack. He's capable of doing anything. I knew that towards the end of the heat I had to sit and hang onto priority and hope that no good waves came for him inside."
Stedman attributed his radical showing to being "amped" up by round three heat 16, where Joel Parkinson and Danny Wills were superb.
"It was super inspirational to watch those guys perform to such a freakish level." said Stedman.
After gaining his fifth placing last year in Jeffreys Bay Stedman shaved his head after a bet with his buddies and if he wins the event tomorrow he claims he will do it again.
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Kelly Slater was once again unstoppable, surging past Taylor Knox in round 4 for a resounding victory over his close friend.
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"Last year I shaved my head at Jeffreys Bay after I made the quarterfinals," Stedman said. "So here I might shave it if I get to the final and win! [laughs]"
Rookie Cansdell has indicated that he will be a force to be reckoned with after his showdown with Moura.
Cansdell is a well-drilled performer having been surfing in competition from a very early age.
He has been touted as a future star of the sport for many years and now those predictions are becoming a reality.
"It's just a dream to be in the quarters at Bells Beach and I just hope I can keep the flow going," said Cansdell. "It's definitely a really prestigious competition as a lot of the world champions have won this event. It'd be an unreal one to win."
Speaking on his tight heat with Moura, Cansdell was pleased that he could get one back on the feisty Brazilian who knocked him out of the first event on the Foster's ASP Men's World Tour on the Gold Coast, and was very happy with his own tactics.
"It was a tight heat between me and Paulo," said Cansdell. "I really wanted to get him back after the Gold Coast. I was getting the second wave of the sets and they were the ones walling up and working for me."
For Durbidge the result here today was a much-needed shot in the arm for his career. He was included on the 2006 Foster's ASP Men's World Tour due to Richie Lovett's (AUS) withdrawing due to having a rare form of cancer.
Durbidge is eager to grab his "second chance" by the horns and finish strongly in 2006 so as to avoid slipping back to the second tier ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS).
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Trent Munro (Aus) had no luck today when he was eliminated by fellow Australian Michael Lowe in round three of the Rip Curl Pro. Munro was the defending event champion but will have to settle for equal 17th place this year.
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"Last time I made the quarters was in Jeffreys Bay last year so I'm looking forward to my next heat and hopefully I can do a personal best," said the quietly spoken Durbidge.
He will now face Slater in the next round and after beating him in this event last year he will be confident heading into the match-up.
Slater indicated he was wary of his challenger.
"Coming up against Bede... He's one of the standouts here at Bells," said Slater. "He covers a lot of ground in his turns. He's a big guy and needs a big open face and this wave really suits his surfing. He's not a guy you would underestimate. Looking at the ratings you wouldn't think he would be in the top five guys at Bells but in my eyes he is."
Organisers will be back checking out conditions at 7am sharp (local time) tomorrow morning with the hope of starting at 7.30am.
The swell forecast still indicates that there will be a further rise in the waves and tomorrow the event will finish in some of the best conditions ever seen for the event.
For the full rundown of the previous round results go to www.ripcurl.com/ripcurlpro or www.aspworldtour.com
Also check out the notes and quotes section for more detailed quotes from surfers in today's and previous rounds, plus the news section for the heat by heat breakdown of the day.
Results:
Round three heats 15 and 16 results:
Heat 15: Mick Lowe (AUS) 15.17 def Trent Munro (AUS) 14.17
Heat 16: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.67 def Dan Wills (AUS) 16.20
Round four heats one to five:
Heat 1: Luke Stedman (AUS) 12.60 def Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 11.34
Heat 2: Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 15.60 def Paulo Moura (BRA) 15.03
Heat 3: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 14.90 def Bruce Irons (HAW) 14.56
Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.10 def Taylor Knox (USA) 15.27
Heat 5: Andy Irons (HAW) 12.50 def Bobby Martinez (USA) 10.50
Remaining heats of round four:
Heat 6: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
Heat 7: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs Greg Emslie (ZAF)
Heat 8: Mick Lowe (AUS) vs Joel Parkinson (AUS)
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