As the conclusion of the 2013 ASP World Title race draws nearer, two front-runners have emerged: Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning. Early losses by both candidates in Portugal has postponed a crowning until Pipeline, and most of the surfing world breathed a sigh of relief; the champ will be decided in the place most suited for it.
While Fanning, points-wise, is a few steps ahead, Slater’s record at the fabled Pipeline is unparalleled. Over the years, he’s amassed six Pipeline Masters wins, the first of which came in his second year on tour. In ’91, he took home the Rookie of the Year award. In ’92, he took home the World Title after cementing it at Pipe. The 1990s saw Kelly Slater register possibly the most dominant performance of any athlete in any other sport. Banzai Pipeline was a major part of that dyansty, as he won the Pipe Masters in ’92, ’94, ’95, ’96, and ’99. Not to mention a few Backdoor Shootout titles. For perspective, imagine if Rookie of the Year, Nat Young, won the World Title next year, then continued to win for the next decade. (Hey, it could happen.)
But Fanning’s no slouch himself. Although his track record in Hawaii isn’t spectacular, the Australian’s determination this year seems to be coming from a different, more focused place than in years past – and he’s always been one of the most focused guys on the tour. Coming off his fifth place finish in Portugal, a place where a win meant the Title, one can only assume the fire under Fanning is burning hot right now.
Fanning, however, has never won a World Tour event at Pipeline. (Although he did cinch his 2009 crown over Joel Parkinson at Pipe.) And the way the race is shaping up, Kelly Slater must win the 2013 Billabong Pipe Masters. If Slater wins, Fanning must place 3rd or better to take the World Title.
Either way, we’re in for a barnburner: Kelly’s seemingly charmed relationship with that famous North Shore reef versus Mick’s blood lust for a third title. Here’s hoping that conditions in Hawaii develop to match the level of the surfing.
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