As the first event in the ASP World Tour comes to a close, it's time to see who reigned victorious at the Quicksilver Pro Gold Coast...
Reigning 10-time ASP World Champiion Kelly Slater has taken his 46th elite tour win, defeating defending event champion Taj Burrow as he claimed the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.
South Africa’s Jordy Smith, runner-up to Slater in the World Championship, finished third overall when he ran headlong into Burrow while he was at the very top of his game.
Slater’s timing had been perfect and he sprung to life on the final day of competition, posting his top results en route to the final. Slater slowly built upon his scores in his bout against the Australian and his refined strategy proved to be enough to earn the Floridian the 2011 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast crown.
'Everyone loves this event because the waves are so fun'
“I’m having a lot of fun,” Slater said. “Everyone loves this event because the waves are so fun. I don’t think I’m the only one that thought Taj was the standout of the event. At some point, he had to stop getting 9s and I just picked the right heat.”
Burrow, who was arguably the most on-form surfer throughout the event, went on a rampage on the final day of competition to oust American Brett Simpson in the quarter finals and Smith in the semi finals, but fell just short of the score needed to surpass Slater for the victory in the back-half of their duel, finishing runner-up overall.
“I’m excited about the tour for 2011,” Burrow said. “It was a fun event and it’s just a bummer the waves didn’t hang in there at the end. I couldn’t better a 3. Hats off to Kelly. I’d just like to thank everyone that organized the contest, it was awesome.”
2010 ASP World Runner-Up, Jordy Smith surfed with style, punch and bite throughout the duration of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, securing exciting last-minute victories over Joel Parkinson and Alejo Muniz to advance through to the semi finals. However, the big South African was unable to overtake Burrow in a repeat of last season’s final.
“It’s disappointing when everything seems to be going well and the surf doesn’t cooperate,” Smith said. “Taj (Burrow) surfed amazing though and it’s still a good start for me. I’m looking forward to the next event and I’ll just put my head down and work hard until then.”
The next stop on the 2011 ASP World Title season will be the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach from April 19-30, 2011. Next stop for Jordy Smith, Taj Burrow and Julian Wilson is Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, for the Boost Mobile SurfSho this weekend. If you can't be there, catch the final live this weekend on Red Bull Web TV
Want more?
- Click for highlights from the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
- Check out all the Water Sports action on redbull.com
- Visit the ASP World Tour official site
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Visit Julian Wilson’s profile page
- Visit Jordy Smith’s profile page
- ASP Women’s World Tour: Roxy Pro Gold Coast – And The Winner Is...
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