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| Let the Postmortem Begin... Now that we’re left to sift through the wreckage of his attempt for a 10th world title the autopsy on his less-than-stellar season is underway, and what's most revealing is there was never much of a real effort. Kelly Slater simply had too much on his plate this year. We knew on Thursday that he would have his hands full with Owen Wright. The 19-year-old Wild Card from Australia has been on a phenomenal tear in 2009. And as expected, Wright got past Slater by taking the above the lip route which is typical of all the surfers that are half Slater's age. What we didn’t predict is Wright would do it in come-from-behind fashion. With his win Saturday, Wright has provided the bookends to Kelly’s 2009 story. When he felled Slater at Bells in March it was Kelly’s second early-round loss in a row, which seemed unimaginable after his 2008 domination. Indeed, Kelly’s PR machine was busy investing in his quest for ten. Both Sports Illustrated and ESPN took note of his chase for the double-digit. Hoping to strike while the iron was hot Slater’s handlers began plotting to leverage their client’s popularity into a pro surfing revolution. Thinking boldly, they started pitching the concept of a dreamier dream tour with Kelly acting as star. Slater’s passive involvement was a no-brainer. The ASP was stuck in a vicious hostage situation to its own board comprised of stakeholders in the status quo. He wanted actual change, but had no desire for confrontation, and wouldn't be caught dead at board meetings. In fact, the only boardroom discussions Slater cared for were the ones taking place in the blue-walled shaping bays of Channel Islands, because his thirst for experimentation was unquenched. Slater was a late arrival to the surfboard renaissance, but he seems determined now to jump out in front of it. His journey into the design realm is what led to his 9th world title that made all the talk of ten possible. Deep down, Slater knows this. That’s exactly why as the 2009 season got underway he was more dedicated to his art than the potential of his new moment. That's exactly how and why he ends up on a tiny little 5’4” during the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast. Hopelessly hooked to new feels he was stayed true to his larger quest for new limits—a vital part of that particular design journey—but the timing of his threshold beat down was unfortunate. The only difference between his Australian campaigns of 2008 and 2009 was the logic of his boards. He sealed his 9th title on pragmatic designs just as his new openess began. But by the time he arrived at Pipeline, after clinching his title, he was armed with a mangy dog of a board. Nevertheless, his Pipe win got more hype than anything else because of the hideous beast. The press praised his deep-six as if it were a breakthrough. But it wasn't. It was, however, a piece of crap. Sure it got him down the face and behind the curtain, but so did Gerry's boards 35 years ago. Slater couldn't turn to save his life on that thing. That he won on it says much more about his dominance out there than anything else. But his success there is what led to the goofiness that followed ealier this year. His subsequent back-to-back losses in Oz months later put a damper on the ten talk just as it was getting started. Then at stop number three in Tahiti rumors of “Kelly’s New Tour” started spreading. Boy, that didn't go over well. It might have if he were actually in the lead at the time, but he wasn’t, and however well intentioned the whole thing was the poor timing gave the movement the distinct aroma of a sour grapes campaign. While trying to climb back into a title race Slater stuck his neck out politically, and some of his relationships were strained as a result. If his team got their way there was no telling where most of his peers would end up, not to mention the ASP staff. Today, if you wanted to argue that Slater paid the price with the judges there’s certainly enough video evidence to open a case.  Kelly Slater pleading his case with Contest Director Mike Parsons after his loss in Mundaka. The two would later confront the judges with their mutual concerns. Photo: Lucia Griggi Yet Kelly’s distractions finally came to an end during this endless European leg. All the “rebel tour” talk was silenced after the ASP wisely turned inward and placated its critics with some modest changes. And on Saturday the plug was finally pulled on his quest for 10. Now Slater can get back to his primary quest, which, of course, makes us wonder what the hell he’ll be riding at Pipeline this year. Lord knows he can win there riding the hood of a Toyota Prius, but if he does, just think of what that would lead to on next year's tour....that is, if there is one for Kelly. We’ll broach that one later. Channels: Surf Adriano de Souza Wins The Billabong Pro Brazilian wonder-kid Adriano de Souza earned his first career victory today, moving back into third place in the ASP World Tour rankings after taking the Billabong Pro in Spain. The youngster remains the leading dark horse for a world title as the battle has heated up significantly over in Europe. The situation for this year's title race just got a lot more interesting as the tour heads for Portugal. 9-time world champion Kelly Slater emerged from his sand trap just long enough to put himself within striking distance with a 3rd place finish, although he's deep in the cabbage and in still in dire need of a good approach shot. The green in this crappy little analogy is Pipeline, where Slater has won a half dozen times. But in order to get in another long putt-for-the-win situation he'll need to show us a solid 7 iron shot in Portugal. And as usual, it's tough to know where Slater's head is. He was complaining of a knee injury after his golf trip to Scotland between events. Whether it's real or imagined seems debatable because his surfing remained sharp. But Slater's ego might have been damaged after the new tour changes he endorsed was dealt a few blows by the ASP last week. ASP backers announced reforms that are placating some critics for now. Coincidentally, talk of Slater's knee injury began circulating just after the the big meetings were held and decisions were made. His knee was so bad he contemplating a trip home. Yet the smell of blood proved too much for Slater to resist, especially after Parko lost yesterday. After suffering through the same torture early this season Slater was empathizing with Parko. Then Fanning stumbled too, and fate's scriptwriters decided a nice tight tour race might do pro surfing well in a crappy economy. CJ Hobgood, Kelly Slater and Adriano de Souza did their best to close the gap in the crappy conditions. The level of surfing was actually pretty good at Mundaka, which despite the weather was offering some solid targets to hit. It was a lot harder to watch at Sopelana, unless you're a fan of groveling. Fanning has the obvious edge with two events left to go. Parko is still suffering with a bad ankle, while all of Mick's cylinders are firing. His boards are working and he's mentally and physically prepared for the battle ahead. The big moat he and Parko have built up doesn't hurt either. But neither of them can afford to slip up again in Portugal. Regardless of what happens next week, the title will ultimately be decided at Pipeline in December, where Andy Irons and Kelly Slater are sure to have an impact even if they're only playing spoiler roles. Just like that, we've got a nice little race on our hands. Results of Billabong Pro Mundaka 1. Adriano de Souza 2. Chris Davidson 3. Kelly Slater, CJ Hobgood 5. Dede Durbidge, Drew Courtney, Fred Patacchia, Taj Burrow Ratings After Billabong Pro Mundaka 1. Mick Fanning 6350 2. Joel Parkinson 6306 3. Adriano de Souza 5773 4. CJ Hobgood 5748 5. Bede Durbidge 5524 6. Kelly Slater 5514 Photos by Lucia Griggi and ASP/Getty Images Channels: Surf Fanning Storms France...and the Ratings Joel Parkinson is crispy black and smoking about now, and he needs help, because he’s been struck by lightning twice in the past two weeks. Somebody needs to yank his ass inside and batten down the hatches—and quickly— if they want to keep his title hopes alive. Because Mick Fanning, the man behind that lighting storm, is still looming, and right about now it looks like Parko just put a metal driver in his hand as the clouds are growing darker. Fanning just won again at the Quiksilver Pro in France, defeating his mate Bede Durbidge in the Final with the same laser-sharp attack he’s been bringing all year. While early on this season Mick’s flashes looked pretty out there on the horizon, they weren’t threatening anything or anyone. Up until last week Fanning had gone without a win since 2007, the year he won his title. But after back-to-back direct hits at Trestles and Les Bourdains in the span of a week, he’s jolted this season's title race back to life with only three events left to go. "It's back on for sure," says Fanning. "I'm just phsyced on heading into the rest of the season." Fanning has pulled away from the rest of those giving chase with his wins, making it a two horse race now. Fanning was trailing Parko by more than 900 points heading into France, he now trails him by a scant 146 points as the tour heads to Spain. Both CJ Hobgood and Kelly Slater were dealt serious blows today by failing to capitalize on Parko’s second-straight early loss. Hobgood lost to Ben Dunn in the fourth round. Slater, meanwhile, made it to the quarterfinals, where Portugal’s Tiago Pires—a frequent thorn in his side—defeated him in a close one. Tiago is one of the only surfers who actually beat Slater last year during his amazing title run. Before his loss today, Slater was cautiously optimistic after Parko’s loss on Saturday, “I don’t smell blood yet," he said. "I’m still trying to find him in the forest.” Slater looked rattled by the loss. He knows now some clear-cutting will be necessary in Mundaka if he wants to keep his title hopes from fading to total blackness. Both he and CJ Hobgood have had success at Mundaka in the past, but the problem now is they're both chasing two surfers instead of one. The Australians must have a total meltdown for either to get his foot in the door. In the meantime, Parko and Mick will be trying to slam it on each other. Things just got a lot more interesting. Results of Quiksilver Pro France 2009 1. Mick Fanning 2. Bede Durbidge 3. Patrick Beven, Tiago Pires 5. Ben Dunn, Bobby Martinez, Kelly Slater, Taj Burrow
Channels: Surf Parko Falls in France The 2009 ASP tour is shaping up to be a tale of two seasons. That’s certainly how Mick Fanning, Kelly Slater and CJ Hobgood are viewing it now after Joel Parkinson exited stage left early over in France today. Parko lost to local boy Patrick Beven, who is surfing in his hometown. While Beven looked comfortable in the small beachbreak conditions, Parko’s tender ankle—despite his denials—looked to be hampering him. Joan Duru seemed determined to back Beven up in the very next heat against Kelly Slater. He opened their match up with a 9.0 score. But Slater kept his composure and came firing back with one of his most inspiring performances of the season, destroying the small stuff on his little 5’10”. Mick Fanning looked laser sharp, too, while disposing of highly-touted wild card Julian Wilson in the small stuff. Fanning, hot off his Trestles win, is best positioned to catch Parko since he’s currently in the number 2 slot in the rankings. He faces Jordy Smith next.  It's not a good time to be Parko with the Fanning and Slater threats are looming. Slater will face Michel Bourez next, and payback will be fueling his fire since he lost to the Tahitian here two years ago. But Kelly is also trying to break through a mental barrier of sorts, because he’s only won in France one time, and that was eons ago. Slater won his first ever ASP event at Hossegor way back in 1992 (do the math on that) defeating Gary Elkerton in the final of the Rip Curl Pro Landes. For what it’s worth, Bourez was six at the time. With the swell dropping word on the street is the event will finish tomorrow in more lackluster conditions, so advantage seems to be tilting toward the Floridians like Slater and Hobgood. But if we’ve learned anything this year it’s that nobody can be taken lightly. QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 4 MATCH-UPS: Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Dane Reynolds (USA) Heat 2: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. C.J. Hobgood (USA) Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Taylor Knox (USA) Heat 4: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Patrick Beven (FRA) Heat 5: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF) Heat 6: Tiago Pires (PRT) vs. Tim Boal (FRA) Heat 7: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF) Heat 8: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS) Channels: Surf Kelly Slater's Best Interview Ever Kelly Slater made an appearance on NPR's "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me" last week, which is a cross between Celebrity Jeopardy and Trivial Pursuit. Before being grilled on the history of bowling, Kelly did his best to explain surfing etymology, how G-strings distract him, and his real history with supermodels. Click the link above to hear it. Channels: Surf | ||||||||||||||||
