Event No. 8 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Portugal played a vital role in the hunt for the 2010 ASP World Title and was privy to some of the most high-performance surfing the world has ever seen.
Although composed and relatively under-the-radar throughout the Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Slater struck stealthily in the Final, locking in two solid backhand waves in the shifting conditions, and staving off a late charge from the young South African.
It was actually a pretty slow Final with neither of us getting any waves of consequence, Slater said. I was trying to stay busy but neither of us could get a solid wave. I actually nearly ended up reaching my wave maximum out there so I kind of had to slow down and try to wait for waves that mattered. Jordy (Smith) has all the talent in the world and hes capable of getting a score at any time. It wasnt over until the horn blew.
En route to an unprecedented 10th ASP World Title, the iconic Floridian moves one step closer to clinching, with a strong possibility of doing so in the upcoming event.
Its obviously a very big deal for me, Slater said. If it happens, it will be a major accomplishment for me in my life. Im fortunate to have an amazing circle of friends around me: my girlfriend Kalani, Belly (Stephen Bell), Travis (Lee) and a bunch of others. Todays win puts me another step closer and well see what happens in Puerto Rico.
Smith fought valiantly throughout the 40-minute Final, posting the highest single-wave score of a 7.10 of a 10 for a backhand Superman air, but was unable to find a worthy backup score.
I guess I felt a little out of rhythm in the Final, Smith said. I was able to notch up one good one, but couldnt find a backup. Thats the way it goes sometimes. Im still happy with the result and the way my year has gone so Im just staying positive and well see how we end up.
The last one remaining in the hunt for the 2010 ASP World Title, Smith acknowledges the tall feat that lies ahead and is philosophical when discussing the remainder of the season.
Ive had a blast here in Portugal, Smith said. Weve had some really fun waves. I was stoked to be in the Final with Kelly (Slater). Im stoked to be in the race still with him. Hes someone Ive looked up to my whole life and its an honor to be up there in the rankings next to him. Im looking forward to the next event and hope we get some more fun wedges.
Mick Fanning (AUS), 29, reigning ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 3, bowed out of Rip Curl Pro Portugal competition in Round 3 of competition, and with Slaters victory today, has also bowed out of the 2010 ASP World Title Race.
The 2010 ASP World Title Race will head towards Puerto Rico for the next stop on the ASP Dream Tour.
Jeremy Flores (FRA), 22, matched his best result of the year today, posting an Equal 3rd at the Rip Curl Pro Portugal. Unable to overtake a rampaging Smith in their Semifinal bout, Flores remained content with his result, moving from 20th to 15th on the ASP World Title Race rankings.
Its been a good contest for me for sure, Flores said. Ive been readjusting my approach to surfing and focusing on the things that work best for me. I think it helped a lot here in Portugal and Im stoked with moving up on the rankings. Hopefully I can get some more good results before the year is out.
Chris Davidson (AUS), 33, took it to Slater in the Semifinal bout, putting the champ on the ropes until Slater pulled out an incredible Alley-Oop 360 for a 9.33 in the dying minutes to take the heat. Davidsons Equal 3rd at the Rip Curl Pro Portugal marks his best result of the season, moving him from 17th to 13th on the ASP World Title Race rankings,
What can you do when the King (Slater) pulls something like that? Davidson said. All I could do was salute him. Its been a good event for me, and I felt like I surfed pretty well against Kelly, but when he goes and pulls a 360 Alley-Oop on a nothing wave, its hard to fight back. Hopefully someone can throw a wrench in the works and send the title race down to Pipeline.
Highlights from the Rip Curl Pro Portugal will be available via http://live.ripcurl.com
The next stop on the 2010 ASP World Tour will be the Rip Curl Pro Search in Puerto Rico from October 30 through November 10, 2010.
RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL MENS FINAL RESULTS:
1 Kelly Slater (USA) 13.33
2 Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.43
RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL MENS SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1:Kelly Slater (USA) 16.03 def. Chris Davidson (AUS) 12.20
SF 2:Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.00 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 10.57
RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL MENS QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1:Chris Davidson (AUS) 9.50 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 7.50
QF 2:Kelly Slater (USA) 15.24 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 12.56
QF 3:Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.17 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 13.67
QF 4:Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.70 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 12.50
RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL MENS ROUND 5 RESULTS:
Heat 1:Chris Davidson (AUS) 11.84 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 9.94
Heat 2:Damien Hobgood (USA) 11.10 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 10.83
Heat 3:Owen Wright (AUS) 13.40 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 9.73
Heat 4:Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 15.00 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 8.16
ASP WORLD TITLE RACE TOP 5 (After Rip Curl Pro Portugal):
1.Kelly Slater (USA) 58,000 pts
2.Jordy Smith (ZAF) 48,750 pts
3.Mick Fanning (AUS) 41,250 pts
4.Taj Burrow (AUS) 34,000 pts
5.Adrian Buchan (AUS) 33,750 pts
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