Kelly Slater wins the Quik Pro and claims 46th WCT Title
Kelly Slater (USA) claimed last night, his 46th WCT Title in defeating last year’s Quik Pro Champ, Taj Burrow (AUS).
The final day at the Quiksilver Pro was a blast and had exciting heats to offer. The conditions have been okay, with small but good 1.5m waves in the beginning. The Semi Finals and Final match-ups, started later than expected, due to the conditions, but it was worth it, so that the surf was more low tide, but the wind was coming through the last heats pretty strong and waves have been coming quite tricky.
Taj Burrow was the man over the entire event, with impressive scores during all of his heats. It was a really close final between Slater and Burrow and so it was just 1 point, making the difference for the final winner. Despite the fact to give away this year’s Quik Pro, Taj is still stoked of course to do 2nd place on the Quik Pro and ranked also 2nd now, on the World Tour.
Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Tiago Pires (POR), were also quite competitive during the event. Tiago, the “Euroforce”, only fell against Slater. The two surfers are now getting ready, for the next stop at Bells Beach (Torquay, Australia).
Slater is and probably will still be the best surfer worldwide. The question about his possible retirement of the WCT, is there though, no matter that he is still fit for another title. Only Slater knows.
“It’s pretty easy. You go out and surf Snapper by yourself, it’s pretty fun. To get to surf a contest is a bonus. I’d like to thank my girlfriend and everyone at Quiksilver for throwing the event. Everyone loves this event because the waves are so fun. I don’t think I’m the only one that thought Taj was the standout of the event“, Slater said.
At the Roxy Pro it was young surfer Carissa Moore (HAW), who won the event and also took the lead on the female ASP World Tour. She put herself through against Tyler Wright (AUS – Owen Wright’s younger sister) in an epic and thrilling final heat.
Next stop for the surfers will be the Drugs Aware Pro events in Margaret River, West Australia, to gain more points for the ASP World Tour ranking, before the next WCT stop is up.
QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST FINAL MATCH-UPS:
1 – Kelly Slater (USA) 11.20
2 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 10.17
QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS:
SF 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.77 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 8.20
SF 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.56 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.40
QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.40 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 9.06
QF 2: Tiago Pires (PRT) 14.64 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.40
QF 3: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.30 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 11.60
QF 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.03 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 9.95
ASP WORLD TITLE TOP 5 (After Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast):
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 10,000 points
2. Taj Burrow (AUS) 8,000 points
3. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 6,500 points
3. Tiago Pires (PRT) 6,500 points
5. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 5,200 points
5. Brett Simpson (USA) 5,200 points
5. Dusty Payne (HAW) 5,200 points
5. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 5,200 points
watch the wrap up of the Quik Pro Finals