Kelly Slater; your 2005 world champ

The title race is over. Kelly Slater has won his 7th world title. Andy Irons came up just a little short. Now it's time to turn our attention to who will be competing against those two on the 2006 WCT tour. With 2 World Qualifying Series (WQS) events left on the "minor-league" schedule, there are still a few open spots left to fill for the 2006 Championship Tour. And of all places for the tour to finish: Hawaii. The one place on earth that will continually try your patience and abilities day after day.

There are also a number of current WCT surfers who are in serious danger of not re-qualifying for next year's tour. You see, only the top 27 surfers from the 2005 WCT tour will qualify for the 2006 tour. The rest will have to re-qualify in 2006 in hopes of making it nback on the Championship tour in 2007.

Sounds a bit confusing doesn't it? Well don't worry - we're going to break it down for you. Who has already qualified, who needs to step up quick, and who is out of luck. We'll also update you on what's going on on the WQS tour and who will be making the leap to the big leagues next year.

2006 WCT LOCKED UP:
The following surfers have secured their tickets for the 2006 WCT tour.

1 - Kelly Slater - 7896 points
2 - Andy Irons - 7260
3 - Phil MacDonald - 6060
4 - Mick Fanning - 6028
5 - Damien Hobgood - 5826
6 - Trent Munro - 5618
7 - Taj Burrow - 5512
8 - C.J. Hobgood - 5248
9 - Nathan Hedge - 5236
10- Cory Lopez - 4960
11- Joel Parkinson - 4689
12- Bruce Irons - 4643
13- Fred Patacchia - 4638
14- Victor Ribas - 4558
15- Jake Paterson - 4511
16- Dean Morrison - 4309
17- Travis Logie - 4119
18- Daniel Wills - 4068
19- Tom Whitaker - 4032

ALMOST THERE:
The following surfers need only maintain their spot in the standings to qualify for 2006.
**Luke Egan and Peterson Rosa have announced that they will retire at the end of the 2005 season, therefore bumping up the next two lower seeds into the top 28 and qualification.

20- Paulo Moura - 3987
21- Richard Lovett - 3982
22- Luke Egan - 3860**
23- Taylor Knox - 3850
24- Troy Brooks - 3802
25- Mark Occhilupo - 3797
26- Peterson Rosa - 3756**
27- Darren O'Rafferty - 3739
28- Marcelo Nunes - 3660
29- Bede Durbidge - 3612**
30- Raoni Monteiro - 3513**

WCT tour veteran Luke egan has announced his retirement

GONNA NEED SOME HELP
The following surfers are going to need to leap-frog some of the higher ranked surfers ahead of them in order to qualify for the 2006 tour. They still have a shot, but unless someone helps them out, they aren't gonna make it.

31- Tim Reyes - 3381
32- Chris Ward - 3347
33- Michael Lowe - 3285
33- Lee Winkler - 3285
=35- Kalani Robb - 3052
=35- Luke Stedman - 3052
37- Greg Emslie - 3011

NOT GONNA HAPPEN
Sorry to say it, but this group of surfers are done. They won't requalify for the 2006 tour no matter how well they do at Pipeline. Some have announced their retirements, and others will give it another go and try to re-qualify via the WQS tour next year.

38- Sunny Garcia - 2915 - WILL RETIRE
39- Kirk Flintoff - 2677
40- Toby Martin - 2636
=41- Tim Curran - 2540 - WILL RETIRE
=41- Shane Beschen - 2540 - WILL RETIRE
43- Shea Lopez - 2355
44- Renan Rocha - 2170 - WILL RETIRE
45- Guilherme Herdy - 2090
46- Bernardo Pigmeu - 1760

WCT rookie Kirk Flintoff will likely not re-qualify for the WCT in 2006

READ ON TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE WQS

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		THE BEST WAVES! THE BEST SURFERS! THE BEST PHOTOS! AND NOW THE BEST DEAL: SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND GET 1 YEAR OF SURFING MAGAZINE FOR ONLY $12.00! Take advantage of this special offer-act now! GIVE A GIFT
				Email: First Name: Last Name: Address Line 1: Address Line 2: City: State: Zip: Select a payment option: Charge my credit card Bill me later Do you have a promotional coupon code? Enter Code: Please send me special offers and exclusive promotions from Surfing's premiere partners.