After more than a week of epic surf and an unparalleled display of barrel riding, Kelly Slater emerged victorious at the Billabong Pro Tahiti and reclaimed the top spot in the ASP World Tour rankings.
The 10-time world champion defeated Australia's Owen Wright, a second-year competitor, in six- to eight-foot surf at notoriously hollow Teahupoo.
More precisely, Slater out-classed Wright and the others he faced en route to his second tour victory of the season.
Slater, 39, the second-oldest competitor on the tour, not only repeatedly chose better waves, he tucked deeper inside barrels and posted high scores on waves that that seemingly lacked scoring potential.
Having opened with a 9.50, he edged Wright by a best-two-waves score of 18.43 to 17.10, and seemed in control throughout, except when he was pitched over the falls late in the heat while trying to use his priority to prevent Wright from catching a wave.
Slater leap-frogged five surfers, all of whom were eliminated early, to claim the top spot.
"It’s one of those weird events where you have to scramble through the early rounds," Slater said. "Every year at this event, there are few of the top guys that lose in the early rounds and you have to scramble if you want a result here. You have to be in tune with the tides, swell direction and everything to make sure you get those waves that get you the score."
Slater has surfed in only four of five competitions and will be looking to solidify his points lead during the Quiksilver Pro, which begins next week in Long Island, New York.
Wright enjoyed his best finish on the World Tour and vauled from No. 9 to No. 5 in the standings.
-- Kelly Slater image courtesy of © ASP/ Robertson
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