Kelly Slater Wins The 2008 Globe Pro Fiji

Okay, okay, this whole predicting the future business is somewhat trickier than I anticipated. When I confidently forecast Joel Parkinson and Bobby Martinez as our finalists a couple of days back, obviously what I was trying to say was CJ Hobgood and Kelly Slater.

And when I said "favourable winds" clearly what I really meant was a minor gale. Regardless, the indefatigable Kelly Slater has been anointed the 2008 Globe Fiji Pro Champion after slaying all challengers in a formidable performance of competitive mastery. In testing and blustery four to six foot surf, patience and wave choice were key, as Slater's reign continued.

It was a sad day for Namotu Island and the Aussie contingent, who haven't claimed the Fiji event since big Luke Egan won it in 2000, an eight year drought. Slater and Damien Hobgood have now claimed the last four Fiji events between them. And, perhaps more importantly, Kelly has stormed to a commanding title lead, with three wins for the season and no apparent weakening of his powers as middle age approaches.

In my defense, my favored boys Bobby and Parko were both painfully unlucky to lose their quarters, both apparently having their opponents on the ropes late in their heats. Bobby sat out half the heat with the lead and priority, needing only to better a three to shut the gate on Slater, but took the first wave in a late set for a four, leaving the door open for Kelly to take the second wave and snatch victory. Parko was similarly luckless against Adriano, clinching the lead with a deep tube only to watch it snatched away in the dying moments. In the other quarters, Taj was too quick and precise for big Bede Durbidge, and CJ achieved the rare feat of comboing world champ Fanning with some shrewd tubes and big hits.

Both semis were one-sided affairs, with a supremely relaxed Slater surfing an almost perfect heat to register two nines and combo a struggling Taj Burrow. CJ had Adriano comboed for most of their semi, and the Brazilian at least got himself back in range late in the heat, but was still left needing a nine.

Kelly, happily chatting between heats, and with his own personal jet ski chauffeur in Tavarua manager Jon Roseman, couldn't put a foot wrong in the final. He established a lead early, snatched scores under CJ's priority and left his opponent combo-ed for most of the final.

There was a weary sense of resignation among his fellow competitors as Slater claimed victory, as if they are now at a collective loss as to how to stop the Great One from claiming an outlandish ninth title, and perhaps a 10th if he so chooses. In a break from tradition, the presentation and festivities are being held on Namotu this year, where an eager band of Aussies are already in the process of drowning their sorrows and plotting unspeakable acts of revenge against the Great One. Stay tuned for late mail from all the official presentation mayhem.

GLOBE FIJI PRO FINAL:
(1st wins $US 30,000; 2nd wins $US 16,000)
Kelly Slater def. CJ Hobgood

COMPLETE SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
(1st advances to Final; 2nd finishes =3rd)
Heat 1: Kelly Slater def. Taj Burrow
Heat 2: CJ Hobgood def. Adriano de Souza

COMPLETE QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
(1st advances to Semifinals; 2nd finishes =5th)
Heat 1: Taj Burrow def. Bede Durbidge
Heat 2: Kelly Slater def. Bobby Martinez
Heat 3: CJ Hobgood def. Mick Fanning
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza def. Joel Parkinson

Reader Comments 

Posted Mon Jun 2, 2008, 10:11 PM — By charles webster baer

IM GOIN ALL OUT http://globalinternetgovernment.com CELTZ IN SIX

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