Photo: ASP / Robertson
King Kelly was victorious in Australia, despite a
broken right foot

Nevermind a hairline fracture in his right foot, Kelly Slater has claimed his fourth Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach title over reigning World Champion Mick Fanning, in clean three-to-four foot waves at Johanna Beach.

The second stop on the 2010 ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach was completed over four different venues this year, with Round 1 at Bells Beach, Round 2 at Thirteenth Beach, Round 3 and the opening half of Round 4 at Winkipop before the final day was completed at Johanna Beach.

In the highly-anticipated Final, Fanning unleashed with a 7.17 to take the lead. However, Slater answered back with an incredible Alley-oop aerial maneuver before he recovered for an 8.93. Slater then paddled out into another excellent wave, scoring an 8.10 to bring his total to 17.03 out of a possible 20 a lead that Fanning would not surpass.

"It was a lot more difficult than it looked out there," Slater said. "The tide came up and the takeoff was a lot deeper than we thought it would be. On that 8.93, I was up in the air and when I landed, I kind of fell on my butt and did the one-footed shuffle, but I recovered there. Then I paddled straight into that second wave and that was it."

Photo: ASP / Robertson
Australia's Taj Burrow remains in first place after
two events on the 2010 ASP World Tour
Despite suffering a hairline fracture in his right foot three days ago, Slater was able to push himself to a record 42nd elite tour victory. "I'm really excited because before this contest I promised myself that if I won, I would give the trophy to the Wathaurong (local aboriginal tribe) people," Slater said. "I didn't remember that until I was out in the water and right when I did, those waves came."

Today's win sees Slater vault from 9th to 2nd on the elite ASP World Tour rankings, setting up his campaign for an unprecedented 10th ASP World Title.

Fanning's Runner-Up finish is a welcome result compared to his season opener on the Gold Coast where he finished Equal 9th. Despite the disappointment of not ringing the bell this season, Fanning now sits at ASP World No. 5 and is in an excellent position to defend his ASP World Title.

Photo: ASP / Robertson
Matt Wilkinson took to the skies during the Rip Curl
Pro Bells Beach

"A Runner-Up finish is great but I would have loved to win," Fanning said. "I couldn't seem to find a rhythm out there and Kelly (Slater) can do anything, even when he's injured. Still though, it was a great finish for the event and I want to thank all the locals down in Johanna for letting us surf out here today."

Taj Burrow has been near unstoppable since December, making the Finals in his previous four events (collecting three victories), before falling short against Fanning in the Semifinals. Despite the loss, Burrow's Equal 3rd sees him retain his position as ASP World No. 1.
Photo: ASP / KIRSTIN
Parko was in smooth form throughout the contest

"I'm happy with a third but disappointed because I fell on a couple of good ones," Burrow said. "It was really challenging out there. It looks okay, but there's a lot of bump on the face of the waves. I had a couple of good ones, but fell and that's frustrating. Still though, I'm happy with my result and I'm looking forward to the next one."

The next stop on the 2010 ASP World Tour will be the Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil from April 23 through May 2, 2010.


RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH FINAL RESULTS:
1 Kelly Slater (USA) 17.03
2 Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.00

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.33 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 12.50
SF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.66 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 3.80

CURRENT ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 10 (After Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach):
1 Taj Burrow (AUS) 16500 pts
2 Kelly Slater (USA) 13750 pts
3 Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13250 pts
4 Bobby Martinez (USA) 13000 pts
5 Mick Fanning (AUS) 11750 pts
6 Joel Parkinson (AUS) 10500 pts
6 Bede Durbidge (AUS) 10500 pts
6 Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10500 pts
9 Dane Reynolds (USA) 8250 pts
10 Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 7500 pts
10 Adrian Buchan (AUS) 7500 pts