Kelly Slater defeats Joel Parkinson to claim Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast victory
America’s Kelly Slater took out the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, the first stop on the 2013 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship Tour, by getting the better of Australia’s Joel Parkinson in the final that went down at the alternative
event site of Kirra in Queensland, Australia, on Wednesday, March 13, 2013.
The 11-time ASP World Champion had been in prime form throughout the course of the event, adapting extremely well to the conditions despite having to switch between Snapper Rocks and Kirra.
Even at the age of 41, there is hardly anyone as intimidating as Slater and he justified this reputation by clinching an all-important win at Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.
“It was just fun today,” Slater said. “I really wanted to surf Kirra as I made known the other day and it was great fun out there. We thought the swell was going to be too East, but it’s really really good out there and to get to surf it with Joel (Parkinson)
is even better. He’s one of the best and we had a lot of fun out there.”
Reigning event champion Parkinson knew he had his work cut out as he found himself pitted against Slater in the man-on-man battle for the overall victory at the first event of this year’s elite tour.
Despite being in an excellent form himself, the Australian surfing heavy-weight found himself being stretched to his limits during the final. Even then, he was unable to hold-off the man who is without any doubt the greatest surfer in the history of the
sport.
Slater looked in control from the beginning of the heat and posted a couple of authoritative scores on the scoreboard, which resulted in a two-wave total of 18.56 points.
Parkinson found himself staring at a huge mountain to climb. Considering the form that he was in, the reigning ASP World Champion and his supports were right to remain optimistic.
The 31-year-old Parkinson came up with a very good response, getting hold of two great waves during the heat. However, his efforts only managed to get him to a heat-total of 17.47, which just was not good enough.
As a result, he was forced to settle for runner-up finish, surrendering victory and consequently the lead in the campaign for the ASP World Title to Slater.
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