BILLABONG PRO | SLATER, IRONS & "EYE OF THE TIGER" [06.09.2010]Surfers

BILLABONG PRO | KELLY SLATER VS ANDY IRONS

TEAHUPOO, TAHITI – Rivalries; everyone loves them; all sports need them. As the cliché goes, ‘they’re good for the game’. There’s nothing more fascinating than when two elite competitors with a history of intense duelling go head-to-head in a no holds barred showdown. It’s the ultimate catalyst for drama. Sport just isn’t sport without rivals. Tennis has Federer and Nadal, soccer has Ronaldo and Messi, Basketball had Bird and Magic, Rocky had Balboa and “Clubber” Lang and surfing had Kelly Slater and Andy Irons. While Stallone couldn’t possibly do another Rocky (I’ve eaten these words before), fortunately for the surfing fraternity, after a substantial lay period, the once famous Slater/Irons rivalry appears reignited.

As we previously reported in the lead up to the ASP's Billabong Pro, when it emerged Kelly Slater and Andy Irons had drawn each other in one of the opening heats of the event, it was always going to be fascinating to see how each would approach the meet. As predicted, their round one clash did not disappoint. In a very tightly contested affair, Slater emerged victor - beating Irons by a mere 0.03 of a point. This was but one of the great little stories to emerge from an event that, given its reputation, could have easily flopped due to swell-shortage. The memorable round one clash was certainly something to get organisers and fans smiling, however the Slater/Irons competitive renaissance was not to end there.

In a script Stallone himself would have been proud of for Rock VII, Irons would have his chance for payback after fighting his way back through the event to find himself again squaring-off against Slater, this time in the tournament’s Semi Final. Whoever won would advance to the final where they would take on American CJ Hobgood for the $50,000 winner’s cheque. It was the 12th time the two men, with 12 world titles between them, had met in ASP competition. Kelly had won their previous two meetings giving him a head-to-head record of 7-wins and 4-losses against Irons.

With the waves being only 2-4 foot, the showdown promised to be a niggly affair. Irons looked to have a nervous energy as he waiting in the channel for the bout to get underway. Slater was doing his best to appear unaffected as he lingered in a separate part of the channel brandishing a quad-finned board that appeared very short. Given that fact Irons was a little off the radar in terms of tour standings, one felt the pressure was perhaps more on Slater to perform. To go down to Irons in this big Semi Final would be tough for Slater, knowing his opponent was not at his peak.



As the bell sounded to commence proceedings, the two heavyweights began tentatively jostled for position. With Irons initially holding priority, Slater appeared to be subtly forcing him deeper and out of place. The sea then calmed to an eerie still - For nine and a half minutes not a single decent wave rolled through. Under ASP rules, if no rideable waves come through in the first ten minutes of a heat they are obliged to restart the fixture. Just when this regulation appeared set to come into play, a wave popped up and Irons took off pulling into an optimistic but uneventful barrel. Game on.

On the 19th minute mark and with Slater holding priority, Irons feigned to paddle for a wave leading and luring Slater to take it. When the wave didn’t eventuate into much it was clear mind games were well at play. Then, with just under 13mins remaining a two-wave set rolled in. Irons gave Slater the first wave, which saw him secure a brief little tube and not much else. Irons then took the second and more hollow of the two waves. He slipped into the barrel and locked in as deep as possible, his tail surging about on the foam-ball within. After an extensive stay, Irons then emerged from the pit with two fists raised high. This all happened right in front of Slater as he was paddling back out from his mediocre wave.  Slater picked up a 5.33 while Irons scored a 9.4.

Slater never really recovered from this, only managing a series of mid-range scores from the few messily waves Teahupo’o gave him to work with. In the meantime Irons rushed off to pick up an average but substantial wave, which allowed him to put together a series of backhand snaps for the sufficient score (4.17) to go with his 9.4. Irons’ combined score was definitely beatable but the conditions were against Slater and the clock ticked away before he could find the right wave. Final score: Andy Irons - 13.57pts def Kelly Slater - 10.26pts.

As the final bell rang, Irons slapped the water in delight. He wasn’t holding back his emotions, chanting “one more, one more”. Interestingly, well after the hooter and while Andy was cheering in the channel, Slater caught a consolation wave that saw him get what could have been the winning barrel he needed. This was an unnecessary but rather significant act from Slater that no doubt made a point to onlookers.   

Irons returned to the channel only very briefly, foregoing any routine media interviews before the final. It was clear he wanted to keep his high and momentum rolling into the final against CJ Hobgood. Irons would paddle straight back over to the break and convincingly despatch of Hobgood 14.67pts to 8.33pts.

It is Irons 20th tour victory and 2nd at Teahupo’o. He was elated in his post-win interview: “I really, really like competing – I know that because of how I feel now”. It is certain Irons has doubted this over the past few years as he completely burnt-out from competitive surfing, lost interest and took a year off the tour. However, on this final day at Teahupo’o Irons showed a renewed sense of desire and confidence that has not been seen for some time. Many wondered whether he’d ever recapture the form and competitive nature that saw him pick up 3 world titles in a row. Looking anything but disengaged, this victory may well signal the re-emergence of the once mighty Andy Irons.

Competitive surfing is in a very good place at the moment, for as the Rocky Balboa chronicles will tell you, the only other thing more entertaining than rivalries, is a good comeback story.

- micholas

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