RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL 2010 | CLAIM GAME [15.10.2010]Other

Jordy Smith won the battle of the post-wave claims. Photo: Pinto/Rip Curl.
 
JORDY CLAIMS BEST, SLATER CLAIMS VICTORY
 
SUPERTUBOS, Peniche/Portugal - Kelly Slater and Jordy Smith finished one and two respectively at The Rip Curl Pro Portugal overnight. With just two stops now remaining on this years ASP World Tour, The result ensures that only these two surfers alone will vie for 2010’s overall crown.

In a thrilling final day, both Smith and Slater displayed sensational late-heat heroics in the lead up to their culminating bout.

Smith had his back against the wall during a Quarter Final clash with Californian Pat Gudauskas. Then, with the clock ticking down, Smith pulled off a dazzling forehand full-rotation air-reverse to snatch the lead.

Upon emphatically stomping the air, Smith went into an animated claim that started with rapturous self-applause and ended with him motioning to the judges to scribble down a favourable score (watch below).

The frenzied and most-expressive post-move celebration was perhaps worth a few bonus points in itself.

Slater’s claim during his semi-final clash with Australian Chris Davidson may not have been as impressive as Smith’s, but his aerial exploits certainly were.

Davo was in front with time winding down when Slater slid into a runner that saw him launch and soar into heat-winning 360 alley oop (watch below). Slater played it relatively cool upon landing opting for a more-subtle claim that included a traditional ‘look-back’ followed by a double fist-pump.

The wave scored Slater the highest single wave score of finals day, 9.33.

In what was a fitting gesture of congratulations, Davo could then be seen saluted Slater from the lineup.

“What can you do when the King (Slater) pulls something like that?” Davidson said. “All I could do was salute him. It’s been a good event for me, and I felt like I surfed pretty well against Kelly, but when he goes and pulls a 360 Alley-Oop on a nothing wave, it’s hard to fight back. Hopefully someone can throw a wrench in the works and send the title race down to Pipeline.”

In the final against Slater, Smith posted the highest single-wave score (7.10) for an impressive backhand Superman air but was unable to find a backup score, eventually losing 13.33 to 11.43.

“I guess I felt a little out of rhythm in the Final,” Smith said. “I was able to notch up one good one, but couldn’t find a backup. That’s the way it goes sometimes. I’m still happy with the result and the way my year has gone so I’m just staying positive and we’ll see how we end up.”

Slater: “It was actually a pretty slow Final with neither of us getting any waves of consequence. I was trying to stay busy but neither of us could get a solid wave. I actually nearly ended up reaching my wave maximum out there so I kind of had to slow down and try to wait for waves that mattered. Jordy (Smith) has all the talent in the world and he’s capable of getting a score at any time. It wasn’t over until the horn blew.”

It’s Slater's 44th tour victory as he attempts seal an unprecedented 10th ASP World Title with two stops remaining.

“It’s obviously a very big deal for me,” Slater said. “If it happens, it will be a major accomplishment for me in my life. I’m fortunate to have an amazing circle of friends around me: my girlfriend Kalani, Belly (Stephen Bell), Travis (Lee) and a bunch of others. Today’s win puts me another step closer and we’ll see what happens in Puerto Rico.”

Smith is now the last and only man able to claim this year’s title from Slater,

“I’ve had a blast here in Portugal,” Smith said. “We’ve had some really fun waves. I was stoked to be in the Final with Kelly (Slater). I’m stoked to be in the race still with him. He’s someone I’ve looked up to my whole life and it’s an honor to be up there in the rankings next to him. I’m looking forward to the next event and hope we get some more fun wedges.”

- micholas




RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL MEN’S FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Kelly Slater (USA) 13.33
2 – Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.43

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL MEN’S SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.03 def. Chris Davidson (AUS) 12.20
SF 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.00 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 10.57

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL MEN’S QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Chris Davidson (AUS) 9.50 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 7.50
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.24 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 12.56
QF 3: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.17 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 13.67
QF 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.70 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 12.50

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL MEN’S ROUND 5 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Chris Davidson (AUS) 11.84 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 9.94
Heat 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) 11.10 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 10.83
Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS) 13.40 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 9.73
Heat 4: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 15.00 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 8.16

ASP WORLD TITLE RACE TOP 5 (After Rip Curl Pro Portugal):
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 58,000 pts
2. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 48,750 pts
3. Mick Fanning (AUS) 41,250 pts
4. Taj Burrow (AUS) 34,000 pts
5. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 33,750 pts

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