Kelly Slater Takes Season-Opening Win at Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Over Joel Parkinson
KIRRA, Queensland/Australia (Wednesday, March 13, 2013) – Kelly Slater (USA), 41, 11-time ASP World Champion and 2012 ASP World Runner-Up, has claimed the 2013 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover in firing three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) barrels at Kirra over reigning ASP World Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS), 31, in front of a capacity crowd on the Gold Coast.
The opening stop on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Quiksilver Gold Coast culminated in fine fashion today with a tube-riding shootout between two of the sport’s greatest champions.
Slater and Parkinson opened their 40-minute Final bout with a rapid-fire exchange of tube-riding displays, vaulting the lead back and forth before Slater nailed a 9.93 for an incredibly-deep barrel punctuated by a full-velocity forehand gaff.
“It was just fun today,” Slater said. “I really wanted to surf Kirra as I made known the other day and it was great fun out there. We thought the swell was going to be too East, but it’s really really good out there and to get to surf it with Joel (Parkinson) is even better. He’s one of the best and we had a lot of fun out there.”
Today win marks Slater’s 52nd elite tour victory of his career, but the iconic Floridian admits that it’s a long season ahead in terms of the hunt for the 2013 ASP World Title.
“They’re all important but it’s nice to get off to a good start,” Slater said. “The three top seeds – Joel, myself and Mick all finished in the top three spots and Michel (Bourez) had a great event too. Momentum shifts throughout each season and a lot can happen. It’s probably the most talented field that has ever been on tour and there are nine more events. I’m committed to the tour this season.”
Parkinson looked unbeatable on the final day of the event, collecting a Perfect 10 in his morning Semifinal before posting an excellent 17.47 in his Final against Slater. However, the impressive scoreline would prove insufficient against the American’s onslaught and the reigning ASP World Champion would post a Runner-Up finish in the opening event of the year.
“When Kirra is doing what it’s doing out there today, it doesn’t feel like an event,” Parkinson said. “I had some great waves and a lot of fun, and to get to do it with the singlet on is icing on the cake. I appreciate all the local support out here today and Runner-Up is a good start to the season. Bring on Bells.”
Mick Fanning (AUS), 31, two-time ASP World Champion (2007, 2009), went down in a barrel shootout this morning with Slater. Despite opening up with an impressive scoreline and an early lead, the Kirra local would ultimately fall to Slater in the dying moments of the heat – 18.60 to 19.37.
“It’s a tough way to go out but you can’t be too upset when you put together a heat like that,” Fanning said. “I had a really good start and put in some solid scores. Kelly (Slater) just did his ‘Kelly Thing’ and got that incredible 10 and really put himself back in the hunt. Shame I couldn’t get to the Final with Joel (Parkinson), but it’s a good start to the year so I’ll refocus and get ready for Bells.”
Fanning collects an Equal 3rd place finish in the opening event of the season.
Michel Bourez (PYF), 27, opened up this morning’s action with a Semifinal bout against Parkinson. Despite being universally-celebrated as one of the most powerful surfers throughout the event, the Tahitian found himself at odds this morning after the Australian’s quick start to their clash.
“It was such a hard heat against Parko (Joel Parkinson),” Bourez said. “He’s a local and he got a 10 on his first wave. It was kind of embarrassing for me as I was waiting and sitting out there for too long and Joel was able to catch a lot of waves. It’s alright though. It’s my best result at this event. I feel great, my boards are going well and I can’t wait for Bells.”
The next stop on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) will be the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford from March 27 – April 7, 2013.
Highlights from the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover will be available via quiksilverlive.com
For more information, log onto ASPWorldTour.com
QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Kelly Slater (USA) 18.56
2 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.47
QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 18.17 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.80
SF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 19.37 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.60
CURRENT ASP WCT TOP 5 (Following Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast):
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 10000 pts
2. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 8000 pts
3. Mick Fanning (AUS) 6500 pts
3. Michel Bourez (PYF) 6500 pts
5. Taj Burrow (AUS) 5200 pts
5. Julian Wilson (AUS) 5200 pts
5. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 5200 pts
5. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 5200 pts
Comments
Category: All ASP News, ASP World Tour News
good surfing kelly the boss
Well done Kelly, it’s going to be be along time before any surfer now or in the future will achieve what you have, during your career. Well done once again on a great start to the season, keep it up. Cape Town
That priority rule needs to be looked at before someone gets hurt. Parko shoulda shot his board at Kelly.
From the J/Bay crew – well done Kelly. Good start to the year…!
Bobby Martinez was railed by the ASP for dropping the F bomb on web cast. How is Parko’s F bomb finger live on webcast any different. They both in essence say the same thing in front of millions of viewers. Funny or not, should this be acceptable in professional sports?? ASP needs to at least address this.
very true
Agreed…
Julian, that was such a crack up watching you catch that wave, slide around Joel, and flick a huge 360..!! I have to get that video clip on my screen saver..
Kelly, you rule.. that was sick surfing every little bit of it and you deserve that win.. now go get that Bell……
WHAT?!?!? I had never seen an athlete giving the finger to another athlete in an official competition witout being expelled, having his points removed or being banned for one or more contests. Not even in MMA, football or any other sport. He did not even apologise.
Is ASP going to do something about it or is surfing just a joke of a sport where there is no Fair Play?
Chill, dude.
I agree with your statement. I was stoked Parko finally won last year, and started to become a fan after his acceptance speech at the asp awards, but after his behaviour at the comp, i m starting to think hes a bit of a clown. I’ve never seen so many claims after every wave, tongue out, over embellished soul arches, fist pumps…it was as if he was trying to sell every wave to the judges. Hate to be cliche, but i’m so stoked Kelly kicked his ass! To all the old men who still rip Go Slats!
go stick your finger where the sun dont shine buddy while your watching the new pope getting elected.
Really Surfer Dad? You need to lighten up a bit. No-one took offence at this at all. Kelly & Joel were laughing about it afterwards. It’s a great moment in surfing – fantastic final and if they make a poster of that finger shot – they better print a million of them.
Surfer Dad,
“not even in MMA” : Please refer to not so old footage of Nick Diaz’s UFC fights. Middle fingers happen. I am not defending them, but merely saying your post is highly inaccurate.
Well said, not impressed, I expect more from a world champ. He should learn from his always gracious predecessor and always show respect.
Relax. Go surfing.
Well done Mr Slater – Nice website for the comp as well by the way!