by The Editors on November 6, 2011
It’s been a crazy couple days for Kelly Slater. The elation of winning his 11th ASP World Title followed directly by the realization that he hadn’t clinched it just yet. Then on Sunday, November 6, 2011, knowing he had to win one more heat to officially own the trophy he had already been awarded, he faced off in Round 4, Heat 2 of the Rip Curl Pro Search SF against two of the rippingest new kids on tour.
The combined ages of Brazilians Miguel Pupo and Gabriel Madina may fall two years short of Slater’s 39 years, but that did not help them today as Slater surfed past the 17 and 19 year olds to advance to the quarterfinals and seal the 2011 ASP Title.
“It was a confirmed the other day, but we’re sure now,” Slater said. “I’m stoked. I was upset about it, but I also thought it was really funny. There are no hard feelings towards ASP and mistakes happen. It’s easy to point things out. It was a little tough to readjust and I was going against kids who could be my kids and they throw radical airs. I was hoping for big offshore barrels, not closeout onshore ramps. I just didn’t know what to expect out there. I didn’t know if we’d have air sections and it was kind of flat with a lot of power. The waves were closeouts and fast with a weird landing.”
Now that this is over Slater may just be relaxed enough to win the entire contest. Follow the jump for the official word from the ASP. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on November 6, 2011
by The Editors on November 4, 2011
Surfers have never been that good at math and now thanks to a calculation error it appears that Kelly Slater has not in fact won his 11th world title (please ignore the previous post).
Sadly, that whole “winning his 11th title on the first anniversary of Andy Irons’ death” story line is for naught. The ASP explains:
“Our rankings’ system is designed to split tie-breaks based off of seed points,” Renato Hickel, ASP World Tour Manager, said. “Kelly (Slater) and Owen (Wright) tied at best nine of 11 results, so we went to best eight of 11 results and the system gave it to Kelly based off his higher seed position. We were operating under that assumption and created the ASP World Title scenarios based off of that. This was a mistake. In the end, we’re responsible for this and should be held accountable. We apologize to our fans, the surfers and to Owen and Kelly.”
Yes. It’s a pretty big blow it by the Association of Surfing Professionals. Now, according to the math wizards at the ASP, all Slater has to do is win one more heat and the title is official his.
So, if you missed seeing Kelly win his 11th world title on Wednesday, then you have another chance. For the official word on the point calculations, follow that jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on November 2, 2011
[Update November 2, 2011: The ASP admitted on Friday, November 4, 2011 that, due to a tabulating error, Kelly Slater had not actually won the 2011 title on November 2, 2011 and that he needed to win one more heat. Click here for that story.]
We figured there was nothing that would keep Kelly Slater from winning his 11th World ASP Title (aside from some wild life), but Australia’s Daniel Ross gave him a run for it. With less than three minutes to go and Ross in the lead Kelly Slater got the wave he needed to clinch the title at the Rip Curl Pro Search SF.
“This is pretty fabulous,” Slater said. “Two days ago in the afternoon it was chunky and small and didn’t look inviting at all. Yesterday was nice and today looks like a nice day in France. I don’t know, this hasn’t sunk in. I’ve been pretty stressed about it and I’m glad it’s over. It’s very fulfilling and there’s personal satisfaction. It feels real nice. I’ve dedicated my life to surfing and competing and to go a whole year and win a world title and have it pay off, it’s really fulfilling. To win on American soil is nice. Everyone’s been so cool and the locals have been so stoked. It’s been a special time. It’s been warm and offshore and a nice little swell. Someone’s looking over us and probably Andy (Irons).”
Follow the jump for the official word from the ASP. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on November 2, 2011
While NorCal’s Ocean Beach locals would probably prefer that everyone continue to believe that there is no surf in San Francisco, day one of the Rip Curl Pro Search SF (and Matty Wilko above) let the secret out that ignoring the cold (and the big fish) waves can be had in The City by the Bay.
“It’s hard because you can’t hear any scores out there,” Wilkinson said. “I got a fun left to start with and a fun right to back it up. I was feeling solid, but I knew Michel (Bourez) was going mad and I didn’t feel safe. It was a real fun heat. There’s a ton of paddling but it’s super fun out there and it’s worth it. There are some fun waves.”
Aside from Dusty Payne’s close call with a large ocean predator the rest of the day went pretty well. With a win in the first round Kelly Slater is only one heat away from number 11. And, as the event is running today, it just might happen today if the event can roll through round 3.
Follow the jump for the official word from the ASP. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on November 1, 2011
It didn’t take long at the Rip Curl Pro Search SF before the men in the gray suits made their appearence. With five minutes to go In Round 1 Heat 4, Dusty Payne (who was being handily beaten by Jordy Smith) paddled in after seeing something in the water.
“I was just sitting there waiting for a wave,” Payne said. “And I’ve seen dolphins before. It wasn’t a dolphin. . . It was the biggest fin I’ve ever seen in my life coming straight at me. The waves are terrible and I’m not going to stay out there and get bit by a shark.”
Can’t say we blame him at all. Especially after what happened in Monterey on Saturday.
by The Editors on November 1, 2011
Jamie O’Brien may be in a little trouble after his apparently misguided attempt to raise awareness for a herpes-type virus” called fibropapilloma that affects sea turtles with this Brent Bielmann photo, according to a Fred Pawle story in The Australian.
A report on the Khon 2 news website in Hawaii quotes Pat Opay, of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s Endangered Species Branch, saying the turtle in the photo may be a green sea turtle. The fine for approaching this endangered breed is up to $13,200.
Could be a pretty costly turtle ride.
[Link: The Australian and KRON]
by The Editors on November 1, 2011
The Rip Curl Pro Search SF is underway live at Ocean Beach. In solid surf. Plans today including running through Round 1 and possibly getting into Round 2.
“We’ve got some swell on offer out at Ocean Beach this morning and are going to capitalize on the clean conditions to commence Round 1,” Richie Porta, ASP International Head Judge said. “We’re looking to finish Round 1 today and will keep Round 2 on standby.”
Click here to watch it live or follow the jump for the complete Round 1 heat sheet. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on October 30, 2011
We don’t normally follow the ASP Prime events, but seeing as everyone was in town for the Rip Curl Pro Search SF it seems like the O’Neill Cold Water Classic California got pretty heated. Miguel Pupo, 19, took out Tiago Pires after Tiago shut down Jordy Smith in semi final 2.
“I feel unbelievable right now,” Pupo said. “I was feeling comfortable out there and I was just trying to surf my best and I won. I’ve been surfing a beach break my whole life and I’m used to these waves. I was really lucky that we moved to here (Waddell Creek). It could have been a different story if we ran at The Lane.”
Follow the jump for the official word from the ASP. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on October 30, 2011
Eric Tarantino, 27, is lucky to be alive after getting his by a shark while surfing at Marina State Beach near Monterey, California at about 7 AM on Saturday, October 29, 2011, according to a story in the Monterey County Herald.
Tarantino. . . was bitten along the right side of his body by a shark that took a 19-inch chunk from his red surfboard. He had wounds on his neck, shoulder, wrist and forearm, witnesses said. . . Dana M. Jones, Monterey Sector superintendent for the California Department of Parks and Recreation, said his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.
According to a story on NBC Bay Area:
San Jose surgeons operated on Tarantino for two hours Saturday to repair injuries to the muscles in his neck. . . Dr. Michael Gynn said he was lucky, because the shark missed all major vessels. Gynn said Tarantino is expected to make a full recover, adding he was awake and alert by Saturday night.
Thanks to the quick work of Tarantino’s friend Brandon McKibben and people on the beach Tarantino made it out of this one alive.
[Link: Monterey County Herald and NBC Bay Area]
