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Kelly Slater Dan Ross

Kelly Slater did what almost everyone expected him to today in San Francisco: he claimed his 11th ASP world title. Although almost everyone expected it, no one really thought it would happen. Eleven world titles is, after all, pretty unthinkable. Photo: ASP/Kirstin


The Inertia

Kelly Slater did what almost everyone expected him to today in San Francisco: he claimed his 11th ASP world title. Although almost everyone expected it, the reality of the accomplishment is disquieting. Eleven world titles is, after all, pretty unthinkable.

In clean, contestable 2-4 foot surf at the Rip Curl Pro Search in San Francisco, Slater, 39, advanced to Round Three with a win over Kai Otton and Dean Brady. Today, Slater paddled out against Dan Ross and managed a 7-point ride in the final three minutes of the heat to take the victory in classic beach break conditions.

Going into the event, things looked great for Slater. A ninth place or better finish secured his position at the top of the surf world, while if he had finished 13th, world number two Owen Wright would have needed a 2nd and Adriano De Souza would have needed a win at the event send the race to Hawaii.

“It hasn’t really sunk in,” said Slater in his first interview after the victory. “I’ve been pretty stressed about it to be honest with you. I’m just glad it’s over.”

When asked about what the win means for him, Slater responded, “Just personal satisfaction. I’ve dedicated my whole life to surfing and to competing and to go a whole year and have it pay off…all that work and effort is a great feeling.”

All this comes on the anniversary of the death of Andy Irons, who died in a Dallas hotel room one year ago today. Somehow, Slater found time to pay his respects to Irons while mentally preparing for today’s event, penning a piece for The Inertia entitled How I Remember Andy.

“It’s sort of weird,” said Slater about the odd confluence of events. “I was just thinking of a lot things coming together. In a way, it makes it a lot more special for me. I guess it’s a way to celebrate my memories of him and just be thinking about him. That’s been on my mind for the last few days. I just wrote a story about him that I put on The Inertia, and man…It’s been a special time. Somebody’s looking over us here, and it’s probably Andy.”

Slater’s career has spanned nearly 20 years and is arguably incomparable to any other athlete. Hailing from Cocoa Beach, Florida, he shocked the surfing world in 1992 when he became the world’s youngest world champion at age 20. In 1999, he took a hiatus from the tour until 2001, when he returned to competition to battle Andy Irons in what turned out to be one of the greatest clashes in the sport’s history.

Congratulations to Kelly on his 11th world title. Be sure to check back later for more on Kelly’s win.

 
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