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No Pebble Unturned At Trestles
By Luke Kennedy | 22 September 2011 |
 If you were studying body mechanics at University you could do your Masters thesis on Kelly Slater's cutty. Pic: Joli It’s “History” announced big Dave Stanfield from the booth, as Kelly and Owen paddled out for their third straight final in a row. “History in the modern era,” corrected Rabbit Bartholomew, his co-commentator. Two old heads had been asked to supply the lyrics to what would hopefully be a totally modern jam. Earlier in the day Kelly had told me point blank what he felt the key to victory was in the contemporary era. “If you’re a carve guy you’ve got to be able do those airs and if you’re an air guy you’ve got to be able lay a nice rail down with a smooth line, you know. Those two types of surfing are starting to find and understand their connection. You really have to look at both sides and you really have to practice the game you’re not best at.” From the opening moments of the final, it was apparent that Kelly would strive to make his performance a perfectly synergised combination of aerials and classic carves. By contrast Owen was more inclined to take to the air on the first section, back it up with what he could and hope that the judges rewarded him for his daring. Unquestionably, these are the two surfers with the most complete repertoires on tour at this point in time and that’s why they have been drawn into a world title race. On this occasion it was simply Kelly’s slightly better interpretation of the modern surfing ideal, which saw him nudge out Owen.
Kelly and Owen can't help but laugh their silly arses off. Pic: Joli After laughing together as their booth collapsed in the post-final press conference, both surfers seemed at ease when discussing the way fate has pitted them against one another. “I think it’s a pretty healthy thing because I consider us both to be friends and we both leave it in the water… We’re definitely dead serious in the water. That’s kind of the best way to have a thing with somebody. When you can battle in the water and then on land be laughing,” suggested Kelly. However, when I quizzed Kelly about whether or not having a strong challenger brought out the best in him, he was quite clear about the impact the scenario had on his whole mindset.
Owen Wright is a future world champion, that's a fact. Will it be 2011? Pic: Joli “When you get a rivalry going with someone, whether it be in the moment or a long term thing, it definitely focuses you. You know, if that guy gets the better of you; and I would say Owen’s gotten the better of me a few times, then you realise it’s no joke and you gotta get ready and tuned in before it. And, you know I had to trust before that heat I was going to win and I’m sure Owen was doing the same thing.” Meanwhile Julian Wilson had every right to be disappointed. Pumped up after his convincing get-square win over Joel Parkinson in the quarters, Julian was stomping around the press bin like a caged lion.
Both in and out of the water Julian Wilson was as impressive as any surfer at the Hurley Pro. Pic: Joli “Bring on the rematch from New York with Owen,” he insisted with a confident grin and killer instinct gleam in his eye. Julian’s form was red-hot and it was devastating for fans on the beach and web-viewers to see his chances destroyed by an interference call in the first minute. Even the Lower Trestles locals “rooting” for Julian agreed that he was in the wrong, but the loss raises serious questions about the severity of the interference rule. Basically once you score an interference the maximum total you can achieve is 15. The judges halve your highest score, so even if you score two tens, your maximum is 15 points. Therefore, once your opponent scores over 15 points it’s game over. Julian didn’t blatantly disobey the rules, yet as a consequence of the call the crowd and fans had to spend thirty minutes watching a non-heat. It seems it would be in the interests of the sport to introduce a rule where the highest wave score is simply dropped and your next two highest waves count in full. Either way Julian has definitely matured as a competitive surfer and is on the brink of a final’s birth. Like Kelly and Owen, he also has the full cache of manoeuvres.
A buffed Joel Parkinson and coach Luke Egan get animated in their post-heat dissection. Pic: Joli Mick Fanning and Parko at times delivered shades of their best. Mick’s tied quarter with Owen, obviously could have gone either way and had Joel finished a wave, on which he scored mid-fives for a single manoeuvre, he might have challenged Julian. However, it’s likely both the Coolangatta surfers will be hoping the remainder of this year’s tour goes down in chunkier or hollower conditions. While progressive surfing is definitely a part of each of their respective acts, they can’t dial a dramatic aerial on demand as easily as some of their peers. Brett Simpson was another who can walk away from the event with his head held high. Brett surfed exceptionally against Joel Parkinson in their round three clash, only to be out finessed by Parko. Even more disappointed than Bret about his 0.2 loss was Brett’s dad. As Brett made his way out of the water yesterday, his Dad a former American football star, reportedly turned to Bob Hurley, the judges and whoever else was in earshot and let them know in no uncertain terms what he thought about the decision. Nothing like a little passion on the Trestles pebbles.
The hot favourite for the title this year was Joel Parkinson, will that pressure be too much? Pic: Joli With a victory over Taj and a semi-final birth against Kelly Slater, Heitor Alvez also proved that his aerial-laced vertical attack, has enough potency to make more highly rated surfers look over their shoulder in the future.
Girls and pro surfing go together like somersaults and trampolines. Pic: Luke Kennedy However the real story of the 2011 season so far, is the ongoing battle between Kelly and Owen. Although the focus has been on the past three finals, the dual actually dates back to 2009, when Owen beat Kelly twice as a wild-card. While the Wright V Slater battle is not yet anywhere near the scale of the Andy V Kelly one, it is now arguably on par with the showdowns Kelly endured against Machado and Beschen. Kelly and Owen are thriving on it and right now and fans around the world can’t wait for the next chapter in a contest that has almost all the elements of a great pro’ surfing rivalry. It’s a goofy vs. a natural, an Aussie vs. an American and a kid from humble South coast NSW against a ten-time world champ who grew up in Florida, not far from where they sent rockets to the moon. HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES FINAL RESULT: HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES SEMIFINALS RESULTS: HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES QUARTERFINALS RESULTS: HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES ROUND 5 RESULTS: CURRENT ASP WORLD TITLE TOP 10 (After Hurley Pro at Trestles) Become a fan on Facebook and get Tracksmag.com updates, free wallpapers and blogs/news HERE |
I didn't see the heat but heard they tied scores - can't get worse than that if you're the loser.
I'd really like to see Mick bounce back for the last few events, his surfing is still awesome and his airs are definitely improving though not in the Josh Kerr class.
To whom it may concern,
We require further information as to why, in your second photograph on this web page, a certain Robert Kelly Slater is appearing to smuggle a small bird in his wetsuit.
If this is indeed a small bird, you are legally obliged to disclose this information and we will make appropriate contact with the suspect.
Kind regards.
US Customs and Border Protection