Kelly Slater Wins 11th World Title
KELLY SLATER WINS 11th WORLD TITLE
OCEAN BEACH, San Francisco/California (Wednesday, November 2, 2011) – Kelly Slater (USA), 39, has claimed a historic 11th ASP World Title today, clinching the year-long pursuit with his advancement out of Round 3 at the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco.
In pristine three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) peaks at Ocean Beach, Slater fought back to an inspired start from opponent Dan Ross (AUS), 28, to claim victory in the dying moments in front of a capacity crowd at Ocean Beach.
“It was a scrappy heat, I didn’t win it in the most effortless style,” Slater said. “I’ve had a lot of heats with Rossy (Dan Ross) this year, and he’s real dangerous with a little power so I knew he’d be dangerous and I was nowhere to be found in the beginning of that heat. I was hunting those lefts and they were fading off I was thinking ‘why am I taking off on these things.’ I knew I had to get in on some of those rights. That wave had a nice open face and I thought it’d probably be just enough.”
After a banner year that witnessed the iconic Floridian make five of nine Finals (thus far) and post three wins, Slater seems to be surfing at the top of his game.
“This is pretty fabulous,” Slater said. “Two days ago in the afternoon it was chunky and small and didn’t look inviting at all. Yesterday was nice and today looks like a nice day in France. I don’t know, this hasn’t sunk in. I’ve been pretty stressed about it and I’m glad it’s over. It’s very fulfilling and there’s personal satisfaction. It feels real nice. I’ve dedicated my life to surfing and competing and to go a whole year and win a world title and have it pay off, it’s really fulfilling. To win on American soil is nice. Everyone’s been so cool and the locals have been so stoked. It’s been a special time. It’s been warm and offshore and a nice little swell. Someone’s looking over us and probably Andy (Irons).”
Today’s clinching of the 2011 ASP World Title comes on the one-year anniversary of the passing of Andy Irons. Irons, who is credited with being a defining force in Slater’s career, was once a bitter rival of the champ (claiming three consecutive ASP World Titles himself) but became a close friend and confidant in recent years. The symbolism of today was not lost on Slater.
“It’s sort of weird and I’ve been thinking about a lot of things coming together,” Slater said. “What are the chances of me winning on the anniversary of Andy passing away? It makes it a lot more special for me. It’s a way to celebrate my memories with him and be thinking about him. It’s been on my mind and I wrote a story about him the other day. It’s a time to think back.”
Is the man ever gonna stop!!!!! 
The guy is unbelievable!
BTW have a go at the comments in this article, apparently according to some surfing isn’t a sport.
What a bunch of wankers!!!!!
See the comment by the second idiot!!!!! He rags on sports that have a judging format to rule the winner, and then goes on to name the “great” sportspeople in the world, and most of them are Team Sports!!!!! What a Dick!!!!!
More than likely these people have never even attempted to surf, or maybe they have tried and failed miserably only to write it off as a lesser sport than the crap talkin that they see as a triumphant feat!!!!!
I was almost tempted to comment but that really is the epitome of trolling and I couldn’t be bothered. You never win an argument with an idiot, they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
All that aside he really does deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Ali, Tiger, MJ and the other greats. Cross sports comparisons are difficult but to my mind surfing is always one up on most sports due to the medium on which it is performed changes in milliseconds and the amazing demands that places on the athlete in terms of reaction, adaptability, timing, and athleticism. The days of guys like Dog Marsh, Hoyo and Kerrsy partying their way round the world tour on talent alone has long gone, the training the top 32 do these days is unbelievable.
Hahahahaa!!!!!
I did comment, but I think that they had already cut off the contributions!!!!!!
I agree with the whole comparisons of cross sports!!!!! It can’t be done, but for them to say that surfing/snowboarding isn’t a sport, shows just how ignorant some people really are!!!!!
They should interview other greats in sport and see what their opinions of Slater are????? I’m sure that they would whole heartedly agree that he belongs with them, and they would definitely know the sacrifice and determination that it took the man to get where he is today!!!!!
You never win an argument with an idiot, they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Hahahaha 
Kelly is such an incredible athlete. What he has achieved in his career is nothing short of inspiring. I totally agree with you, he definitely should be up there with the all-time greatest athletes: Jordan, Ali, Tiger, Federer etc. I already consider him in the same league as I’m sure many others do.