Updated at 4:04 p.m., Saturday, September 15, 2007
Slater defeats Hawaii surfer in California pro meet
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Reigning world champion Kelly Slater defeated Hawai'i's Pancho Sullivan in the final of the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley pro surf meet today at Lower Trestles, Calif.Slater won his 34th Association of Professional Surfers World Tour event and moved ahead of Tom Curren for the most elite tour event victories in history. Curren set the record with his 33rd event win 16 years ago.
Sullivan, who is in his second year on tour, posted his best result to date with his runner-up finish. Sullivan bested Neco Padaratz of Brazil, Troy Brooks of Australia and Jeremy Flores of France to reach the final.
Sullivan nearly pulled the upset, needed a medium-scoring ride — a 6.98 — to take the heat from Slater.
"It was a little frustrating, especially needing such a small score at the end and having priority and not being able to do anything, but that's the surfing competition," Sullivan said in a story at the ASP Web site. "I still made it to the Final and hopefully I can carry some momentum into Europe and keep improving. It was really inconsistent but there were a few moments where we saw some spectacular surfing. I think all in all it turned out to be a great event."
Sullivan jumped eight spots to World No. 8 with his runner-up finish today.
Final
Kelly Slater (USA) 13.40 def. Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 10.60
Semifinals
Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 15.24 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 5.33
Kelly Slater (USA) 17.83 def. Tom Whitaker (AUS) 10.33
Quarterfinals
Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 11.17 def. Troy Brooks (AUS) 8.00
Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.17 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.67
Kelly Slater (USA) 18.60 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 16.67
Tom Whitaker (AUS) 15.83 def. Ben Dunn (AUS) 14.93
Round 4
Troy Brooks (AUS) 14.00 def. Chris Ward (USA) 11.40
Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 13.47 def. Neco Padaratz (BRA) 11.17
Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.94 def. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 9.83
C.J Hobgood (USA) 17.57 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 9.23
Kelly Slater (USA) 15.74 def. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 8.50
Taylor Knox (USA) 15.90 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.67
Ben Dunn (AUS) 9.67 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 7.40
Tom Whitaker (AUS) 16.77 def. Shaun Cansdell (AUS) 12.93
Current World Rankings
Foster's ASP World Tour Ratings after Stop No. 6 the Boost Mobile Pro pres. by Hurley
1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 5270
2. Kelly Slater (USA) 5040
3. Taj Burrow (AUS) 4511
4. Andy Irons (HAW) 4331
5. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 4029
6. Damien Hobgood (USA) 3824
7. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 3467
8. Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 3462
9. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 3438
10. Dean Morrison (AUS) 3248
