Kelly Slater Eyes 11th ASP World Title at Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco
Kelly Slater (USA), 39, is only two heats away from securing an unprecedented 11th ASP World Title.
OCEAN BEACH, San Francisco/California (Friday, October 28, 2011) – The Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco, Event No. 10 of 11 on the 2011 ASP World Title Series, will bring the world’s best surfers to Northern California for the first time in history next week with the ASP Top 34 doing battle at Ocean Beach.
The penultimate stop of the 2011 ASP Dream Tour season, the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco boasts the dual importance of playing a crucial role in the requalification campaigns of elite ASP Top 34 as well as the possible deciding event of the 2011 ASP World Title.
Kelly Slater (USA), 39, reigning 10-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 1, is just two heat wins away from clinching a historic 11th title, needing to finish ninth or better at the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco to end this season’s race.
“Being this close doesn’t change my approach too much,” Slater said. “I have to ride four waves as well as I can against probably a really good wildcard. The approach doesn’t change because of the situation. The approach got me to this place and I’ll stay in the same headspace as much as possible.”
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 three victories (Gold Coast, Tahiti, Trestles) as well as two Runner-Up finishes (New York, Portugal) – a performance, in part, he attributes to the relief of clinching his 10th ASP World Title last season.
“I think last year’s title made this one easier to a degree,” Slater said. “It took pressure off of me for sure. The 10th was a far more talked about and conscious situation. Everyone wanted to know what I was thinking about 10. That was a much more difficult monkey to have to not think about at all. I think it allowed me to be a bit less worried about outcomes once that was completed and I could enjoy competing with a bit less distraction.”
The Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco will be Slater’s inaugural surfing experience in the ‘City by the Bay’ and the reigning 10-time ASP World Champion was succinct in his expectations of the venue.
“I expect cold and paddling,” Slater said.
Slater will likely face off against wildcard Dean Brady (AUS), 25, and a fellow ASP Top 34 campaigner in Round 1 of competition.
Round 1 match-ups for the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco will be determined following the completion of the ASP Prime event in Santa Cruz this week.
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. The 2011 Pro Search will be broadcast live on Fuel TV, Livestream.com and live.ripcurl.com
For additional information log on to www.aspworldtour.com
ASP WORLD TITLE TOP 5 (Heading into Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco):
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 58,150 pts
2. Owen Wright (AUS) 45,650 pts
3. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 42,450 pts
4. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 41,100 pts
5. Taj Burrow (AUS) 40,950 pts
Category: All ASP News, ASP World Tour News
With the world title on the line do you really think Kelly wouldnt show up at pipe? Idiot!
I was merely asking a question, no need for the juvenile name-calling. No one in their right mind would bet against Kelly at Pipe, but guys get injured, etc.
It was never clearly stated to the general public what the tie-breaker criteria was.
Thanks to ColdInOR for the intelligent response to my post.
Wow! Youre feelings are really hurt. Youre an idiot and a crybaby. And yes, I am a juvenille.
Ha! We were right. ASP retracted the title for now and confirms a surf-off would settle a tie.
Talk about juvenile, “Ha! We were right!”. May the Force be with youzzzz!
Hay Tom,
You sent me a black belt that was way too big!!! It won’t fit the motor pulley!!!
What to do now???
I don’t know about Kelly, but I’ll be claiming every wave and move I make, just watch…
With the point system like it is I would think its almost impossible for Kelly to loose. I am not saying the system is wrong, because Kelly earned his points. He is just to far ahead to loose with the points he has. Kelly just placed really awesome in his contest. This is why he is sitting in the#1 spot with the lead he has.
GOOD LUCK KELLY LOVE.
FLEUR.
go hard boys or come home
Do You Have a Gut! To do what it take to be a selp made millionare! Look at the King! He got da gut! He got the beautiful girl, maybe boat! He started poor like me but him have a “Unik Teknik” (unique techique)to be the bess! He know the location! -Tom Vu
I am thinking about not even showing up so it will down to pipeline.
The water is too cold in N-california and the currents are currents are too strong
Kelly I think you are correct. Let the local boys have this one, and I look forward to watching you duke it out at our favorite wave on the plant.
We honor our sport by having the title come down to the hallowed North Shore.
Mahalo,,
Michael O
I think Michael Schumacher is the only other world champ with 10. Go Kelly!
Kelly is a once in a billion human being and what people dont realise is we are not likely to witness remotely anyone of his stature in a billion life times. He is the best sports person ever to walk on earth. He is an inspiration to everyone love ya legend when does your shop open in byron bay down under should be epic!!!!!
Everyone talks about how slater needs a 9th to clinch the title, but no one has given us the mathematical breakdown for what the other contenders need…i.e., if Slater were to fall in round 2 or 3, what would Owen and Adriano need to do to keep the race alive into Hawaii? A 1st, a 2nd, a 3rd…? Obviously they would need to do very well, so it seems like Slater’s odds are much better than they are portrayed in the various articles…everyone likes to hype it up and say “Slater could lose early in SF because its a difficult venue and lends itself to luck, so the race could easily go to Pipe,” but the same is true for everyone (as far as the supposed “luck” factor), so it would be nice to know the entire situation.
Kelly Slater,the worlds most succesful competitor of any sport. No one has come even remotely close to his accomplishments. He’s an ambassador, he’s one of the boy’s, he’s our King. Long live the King!
ELVIS?.