News

September 15, 2009
MAJOR HURLEY PRO UPSETS MIGHT HELP KELLY SLATER CLIMB BACK INTO WORLD TITLE HUNT

 

Kelly Slater, going into the Hurley Pro, did not like his chances of climbing back into the world title picture. The nine-time world champion said winning a 10th title this year was "a distant possibility."

After all, he started the season miserably and began the Hurley contest at Lower Trestles ranked eighth and light years behind ASP World Tour points leader Joel Parkinson. There are only five World Tour events after this one.

However, Slater has watched several top surfers get eliminated from the Hurley Pro during or before the third round at the fabled San Clemente venue.

Most notable among the upset victims was Parkinson, who had won three of five contests before his visit from Australia to Southern California. Parkinson on Tuesday lost to Rob Machado, a wildcard entry who a day earlier had upstaged fourth-ranked Taj Burrow. Also losing early was sixth-ranked Bobby Martinez. 

Slater, who advanced to the fourth round with a triumph over Brett Simpson, downplayed his chances again.

“You definitely think about [Parkinson’s elimination] – it’s impossible not to – but you can’t let it change the way you approach the heat,” he said. "You still have to go out there and win. That goes for the world title as well; I pretty much have to win everything from here out to put myself back in this thing.”

While it might seem that way, it's not exactly true. A victory at Trestles would, at the very least, give Slater a sporting chance. And that's usually all he needs.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Kelly Slater, reigning nine-time ASP world champion, goes airborne during fourth-round heat against Brett Simpson. Slater won the heat to advance to round four of the Hurley Pro. Credit: © ASP/ CI/ ROWLAND via GETTY IMAGES