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Slater wins in Tahiti and leads the ASP
Written by James Wilkinson
Tuesday, 30 August 2011 14:14
Quiksilver’s Kelly Slater (USA), 39, reigning 10-time ASP World Champion, has claimed the Tahiti ASP World Tour event over Owen Wright (AUS), 21, in clean four-to-six foot (1.5 – 2 metre) waves at Teahupo’o. Slater began to really pick up steam in today’s conditions, dispatching of an in-form Josh Kerr (AUS), 27, in the Semifinals before meeting lethal goofy-footer Wright in the Finals. The iconic American utilized his superior backhand tube-riding technique to post an 18.43 heat total out of a possible 20, which would prove too much for his younger opponent to overcome.
Coming into Tahiti rated No. 6 on the ASP World Title rankings (after missing JBay), Slater’s win today rockets the Floridian to the No. 1 spot after a number of top seeds suffered early eliminations at the hands of an unmerciful Teahupo’o. Today’s win marked Slater’s 47th elite tour victory (out of 67 Finals appearances).
Jeremy Flores (FRA), 23, put in some of the most inspiring performances of the event, bagging the biggest waves and even surfing a Perfect 20 heat in yesterday’s idyllic conditions. For his heroics, Flores was awarded the Andy Irons Award for most committed performance of the event. This is the inaugural year for the award, honoring the late ASP and Billabong Pro Tahiti Champion Andy Irons.
“Andy (Irons) meant everything to me,” Flores said. “He has been the guy I’ve looked up to my whole life. In heavy waves, in all waves, he was the best and to earn this award is so special for me. He inspired everyone on tour and he’s been my inspiration in Tahiti. I know he was smiling on this event. Thank you Andy.” Jeremy Flores is now sitting in the 10th position in the ASP rankings. His team mate and friend Tiago Pires (Port) is standing in the equal 12th place (with Ace Buchan) on his way to post his best ever ranking on the ASP word tour.
