The Top 5 performers of 2011 ASP World Tour – Part 1
When it comes to surfing, things cannot get any better than the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour. The Tour travels around the globe, pitting the elite ASP Top 34 against each other in 11 stops over a course of 11 months, starting February
and wrapping up in December, in pursuit of the greatest honour that the sport has to offer, the ASP World Championship title. Only the most skilled and consistent of the elite ASP Top 34 get to take home the title each year, compelling everyone to unleash
the deadliest of skills lying in their arsenal.
With the month of September upon us, the battle for the 2011 ASP World Championship title is currently in full swing. While the long-time World Tour campaigners have once again been leaving their mark in the season, the newer generation of surfers has been
making a solid impact and landing themselves in the spotlight on a consistent basis.
Let us take a look at the Top 5 surfers, in no particular order, who have been making waves in the latest season of ASP World Tour. The legendary American, Kelly Slater, is excluded from the list as there is hardly any confirmation required for his exceptional
form and chances to clinch the 11th ASP World Championship title.
Joel Parkinson
The 30-year-old Australian has been consistent throughout the years and it was only a matter of time before he found his rightful place in the Top 5. After missing out on majority of the Tour last year due to a horrific injury, Parkinson returns this year
with a more promising form than ever.
The first stop of this year’s season, Quiksilver Pro, allowed Parkinson to loosen up in his own backyard, Queensland. Wasting no time in finding his rhythm, the Australian took off like a rocket, though he was eventually brought to an abrupt stop by South
Africa’s Jordy Smith just short of the quarter-final stage. As a result, he finished in ninth place.
The Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach in Victoria, Australia, saw Parkinson finish what he had started in the previous stop. His exquisite form allowed him to drill his way through a heavily talented line-up, including Brazil’s Adriano de Souza, to make it into
the finals to face his compatriot and two-time ASP World Champion, Mick Fanning. The onslaught by a rampaging Parkinson made the final completely one-sided, allowing him to walk away with top honours.
The third stop of 2011 ASP World Tour brought the surfers to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for Billabong Rio Pro. Parkinson continued his winning momentum in the initial rounds of the event to make his way confidently into the quarter-finals. However, his event-title
pursuit was cut short by France’s Jeremy Flores, making him settle for a fifth-place finish.
Competing in the fourth stop of the season, Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay in South Africa, the 30-year-old Australian seemed unstoppable. He charged through the initial rounds of the competition like a train and comfortably prevailed over opponent in the quarter-finals
to make his way into the semi-final to face Fanning.
The last time the two had met at such a crucial stage, the victory had gone to Parkinson. However, this time the outcome of the battle came in Fanning’s favour, forcing the Queensland-native to make an exit just one step away from the title shot and settle
for fourth place.
The excellent run through the season so far has placed Parkinson in the No.1 spot on the ASP World Tour Rankings, making him one of the strongest contenders for the season title.
To be continued in Part 2.
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