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Slater Takes Tenth Tour Title

Release Date: 2010/11/08

Porta Del Sol/Puerto Rico

After beginning the week in an epic trough with the death of Andy Irons, surfing ended the week with what will go down as one of its biggest moments in history. Kelly Slater scored one of his best performances with back-to-back nine-plus scoring waves at the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico to lock in an historic tenth ASP title. Here are the details: Kelly Slater (USA), 38, has made sporting history today, claiming an unprecedented 10th ASP World Title at Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico. With his advancement out of the Quarterfinals of the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico over Adriano de Souza (BRA), 23, Slater amassed enough points to move out of reach remaining contender Jordy Smith (ZAF), 22, and collect the 2010 ASP World Title, culminating a 20-year effort. I dont know, it just happened, Slater said. If you look at the heat, Adriano (De Souza) passed one up and let me have it and that was a good wave and that was pretty much it a few minutes into the heat. I just want to send my condolences to Irons family. Its been a week of extremes for me. If it wasnt for Andy (Irons) there is no way Id be here in this position right now. I dont really know what else to say, Im a little overwhelmed right now. I want to dedicate this to Andy and to my family. Andy Irons (HAW), 32, former three-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World Tour competitor, tragically passed away last Tuesday in transit back home from Puerto Rico. The iconic Hawaiians unexpected passing has been a devastating blow to the international sporting community.

I decided to go for 10 (ASP World Titles) when a friend asked me if Id decided to win 10 yet after a few contests into this year, Slater said. I told him yeah, okay. That was right before Brazil. At that point I knew I could do it, but Taj (Burrow) looked good to start the year, but to me it looked like Jordy (Smith) was the guy early on. Mick (Fanning) had a lot of ninths and he knows hes not going to win a title with ninths. Besides Jordys 17th, his worst result was the Quarters, so I knew there was no room for error. These last five events have really come together. I dont really know how it came together the way it did. Slater, who spent a large portion of his youth in Puerto Rico, had a huge support crew of family and friends on hand to witness the incredible feat as well as the support of the tens of thousands in attendance on the beach. Its nice to win this in Puerto Rico with my friends and family here, Slater said. I havent been surfing here on this part of the island since 88 and I used to come here a lot. This was like a second home to me. It was like my little Hawaii. I used to come here in the winter and I have a lot of good friends from here. Its the closest event ever to my home, so it feels like home.