|
Kelly Slater Wins | Billabong Pro Tahiti 2011
In what has been regarded as one of the
most exciting and consequential World Tour events in history, 10 x World Champion Kelly Slater has claimed victory at the 2011 Billabong
Pro in Tahiti riding a quad.
In total contrast to his US Open win at
Huntington Beach earlier this month where he rode a quad in 2 – 4 foot beach
breaks, Kelly has further validated the four fin set-up by winning “Chopes” in
6 – 12 foot heaving barrels.
Looking confident from his opening heat
Kelly was convinced riding a quad was the right decision at the infamous
Tahitian reef pass.“I rode my K2.1 Quad set-up for the entire
event, it felt really fast and comfortable in the tube. The quad set-up seems
to provide a little more security especially in the barrel, it also gives you
more control when you’re riding a shorter board”.This latest victory puts Kelly on top of
the World Title ratings, and while he’s yet to officially commit to an 11th
World Title, its clear Kelly wants to challenge the boundaries of wave riding
through board design and his choice of fin set-up.
FCS team rider Jeremy Flores was another
notable standout at the Billabong Pro, riding multiple fin configurations
including prototypes of his new JF-1 signature fin, along with a K2.1 plus GAM
combo. Jeremy showed a fearless yet calculated approach to claim a perfect heat
score, the Nixon WTA Award, and the Andy Irons Award for the most committed performance.
| 
