Slater To Call It Quits For 2009? According To Aussie Reporters, He Will
Ryan Brower
- May 21 2009
- 735 views
- 12 comments
Amid my daily news hunt online, it seemed like every other article I came across was an Aussie periodical’s take on Slater’s future for the 2009 tour. With Aussie Joel Parkinson in the lead for the title race at this point, it seems that everyone is attempting to make predictions about Slater’s mindset. Sure, he might have given a few quotes that hinted at taking a ‘vacation,’ but remember, when Slater’s winning it’s like a vacation for him. And don’t forget that he is probably one of the best at playing psychological games as well. So below is one take on Slater’s plans, but take it with a grain of salt, you know he wants number ten.
LET US KNOW BELOW WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ON SLATER’S TITLE RUN IN 09 ARE.
King Kelly in a losing effort. Photo: Josh Humbert
As reported by the Aussie Herald Sun.
Kelly Slater will consider giving up on his title defense after crashing out in the second round of the Billabong Pro in Tahiti.
And in a day of upsets, Australian points leader Joel Parkinson was knocked out by American journeyman Taylor Knox in their round-three heat.
Slater blamed outside distractions after his shock loss to little-known Spaniard Aritz Aranburu, which left the American languishing near the foot of the ratings after three straight 17th-place finishes.
While Slater is desperate to add a 10th world title to his resume, the 37-year-old admits he may have to put that dream on ice until next year.
“That might have given me a long vacation. It’s really decision time,” Slater said after his Teahupoo campaign came undone at the first hurdle. I don’t want to just fall off the map (in the title race) but I already have. I’m in the 20s there somewhere. But last year I had two (17th-placings) and had a ninth and missed an event (and still won the title). So numbers-wise, I’m still within the possibility of getting myself into something later in the year but I have to put something together.”
“I’ve actually got a lot of things on my mind, this year in particular. It’s probably been distracting me from just being able to surf so I need to sort that out. I know what those things are … it is something that will be sorted out next week.”
Slater was expected to cruise past Aranburu but the second-year rookie unleashed a mammoth 9.77 wave to set up the biggest win of his fledgling career.
The title race was thrown wide open when Parkinson, winner of the opening two events of the year, suffered a crushing 15.46 to 5.57 defeat to Knox.
For the full story, head to the Aussie Herald Sun.
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May 21st, 2009 at 11:37 am
Not to beat my own meat, er, drum, but I called this after Bells on this very website. Despite his great victories, Kelly’s a terrible loser and not much of a sportsman. Either quit or don’t, but make up your f*cking mind already you big baby.
May 21st, 2009 at 11:39 am
BTW, what happens if Slats leaves the tour but wants to come back next year? AI’s got the golden ticket already - do they just make room for him as well at the expense of someone who actually puts in the effort this year to scrape into the mix?
May 21st, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I’d love to see a list of Slater’s distractions.
threesomes, piles of money, unridden waves to be ridden, helicopter rides…etc
with distractions like these, i surely wouldn’t be able to get any barrels at chopes against Aritz either.
May 21st, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Slater’s bullSh*t retirement mind games are really aimed at the judges for the next contest. The asp and the judges know that Kelly is good for the asp and pro surfing in general so when kelly says something like, “If I don’t do good at the next contest I may retire” - it’s a direct threat to the judges which gives them all the more reason to throw him that extra point or half point. Smart guy. Not only does he already surf better than everyone he has the entire judging panel blackmailed. My guess is he’ll show up in Brazil, have at least one heat that he gets over scored in, go on to win the contest and be right back in the title hunt.
May 21st, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Fuck.
May 21st, 2009 at 7:43 pm
im a gay
May 21st, 2009 at 7:44 pm
im a gay boy
May 22nd, 2009 at 5:56 am
Well said Charlie! I have seen Slater get overscored many a time and it makes me sick to my stomach!
May 22nd, 2009 at 6:35 am
Kelly deserves every title he has won and every heat he has lost, get over it. Overscored? Gimme a break. The guys a freak, natural and does more for this sport than anyone. Can you blame him for being over it after losing in mediocre surf. He usually does this.. he wins a title hands down(08) then he gets over it the next year until someone else wins.. then he gets fired up and smokes everyone the next year. He doesnt like a title race unless its against one person(ie. Andy) he wants to dominate… if everybody was happy go lucky and didnt have any strategy, this would an even more boring tour.. King Kelly for 10 in ‘10!
May 22nd, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I’m always amused by the “he does more for the sport than anyone” comment. What exactly has Kelly done to make surfing better for me?
May 22nd, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I think it should be required that everybody who talks S*%t about a professional surfer should submit a video of themselves and if they surf better than that particular surfer, then you can talk all the nonsense you want. It’s funny that this article is actually taken word for word from Kelly’s interview with GT right after his loss. So the guy was bummed he lost, who wouldn’t be…… he still surfs better than all you hater barneys.
May 26th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
For one, stu ‘who’, he showed you how to properly surf a wave.