Against Australian surfing icon Taj Burrow (AUS), Slater, the seven-time world champion was back to his absolute best, and the 34-year-old wasted no time in securing a lead in the 30 minute final.
Thousands of fans cheered on as their surfing heroes went wave for wave, with both Burrow and Slater pulling out all the stops as they vied for the US$30,000 first place winners' cheque and the all important ratings lead in the chase for the 2006 world surfing title.
While Burrow waited patiently for the best waves, Slater racked up continuous scores, each wave slightly better than his last. The clincher came in the latter stages, with judges awarding Slater an excellent 9.0 ride, which forced Burrow onto the ropes.
Despite his reputation as one of the most electric small-wave surfers in the world, 27-year-old Burrow was no match today for the 'King', who for the first time since 1998 took top honours in the season's opening event.
The final tally - Slater leaving the water on 16.17 points to Burrow's 14.60.
“It’s been eight years since I won the first event of the year, it feels awesome, it’s great to get a start like that. I didn’t finish out the year super strong last year, so to start this year in the number one spot feels really good,” said Slater.
The win brings Slater one step closer to another record, he is now just one WCT career victory shy of American legend Tom Curren's total of 33, and it is the first time Slater has won one of his sponsor's events since claiming the Quiksilver Pro in Biarritz, France in 1996.
The question also begs, will Slater chase his own record, and go for world title number eight? But at this stage, the champ is still undecided.
“It’s a real thing on everyone’s minds but it really isn’t in my focus right now. I do think about it, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t... but it’s not keeping me up at night and it’s not waking me up in the morning, it’s just something that could happen,” said Slater.
Burrow was diplomatic in defeat, despite stating his clear intention to win the event after finding renewed hunger following a broken foot that hampered the back end of his 2005 campaign. For his runner-up placing today, Burrow pocketed US$16,000 and slips into second on the world ratings with 1032 points behind Slater's 1,200.
“Kelly did well, I didn’t get the wave I needed, but I’m really stoked with the result and to be out in the water competing again,” said Burrow.
“It was always going to be a tough challenge for me. I really wanted to pull a ‘Mick Fanning’ [who returned from injury to win last year’s Quiksilver Pro] and come from an injury lay off and win the event. I’ve had a lot of time to think about it and I now have a different perspective and realise the things I have to do to get the results. I feel really focused now.”
In this morning's semi-finals, Slater ended tour rookie Bobby Martinez’s (USA) dream run in the Quiksilver Pro. The 23-year-old Santa Barbara surfer failed to find a second scoring ride in the fickle conditions of Duranbah Beach to finish equal third overall in his first top tour event as a touring championship surfer.
