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The King returns

Kelly Slater (USA), 40, reigning 11-time ASP World Champion, claimed his 49th elite tour victory today, taking out the Volcom Fiji Pro over Gabriel Medina (BRA), 19, in pumping four-to-six foot (1.5 – 2 metre) surf at Cloudbreak.

Event No. 4 of 10 on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, the Volcom Fiji Pro culminated in exciting fashion today, with Slater and Medina each pushing the limits of high-performance surfing at the famed, oceanic lefthander.

Slater wasted no time in the Final against his young opponent, grabbing an 8.33 and a 9.83 in the opening half of the bout to put Medina on the ropes. The Brazilian, however, would not back down, claiming an 8.60 to put himself back in the hunt. Slater limited his scoreline to his two opening rides, and it proved enough for the Floridian to scalp the win as well as his first man-on-man victory over Medina.

“It’s about time I got him,” Slater said. “He had my number in the back half of last year and he’ll probably go on to beat everyone for the next 20 years. He can do it all and I think he proved that to a lot of people this week at Restaurants and out here at Cloudbreak.”

Slater sent his first shots across the bow today during the Semifinals when the phenomenal natural-footer posted his second Perfect 10 of the event for a series of deep tube rides and critical turns.

“That’s probably the best I could surf out here,” Slater said. “The barrel and the turn sections just lined up for me and I was able to do what I did. That was a perfect canvas for me.”

After an absence at the previous event in Rio de Janeiro, Slater’s win in Fiji bolts him up from 8th to 2nd on the ASP World Championship Tour ratings.

“I think everyone who competes on tour is here to win,” Slater said. “If you’re winning events, then you’re winning world titles. At this point in my career, I’m probably more focused on surfing well though. The waves just pumped today. Some guys win, some guys lose, but everyone is happy if the waves are good.”

Medina’s Runner-Up finish at the Volcom Fiji Pro rockets the young goofy-footer from 29th to 13th on the elite ASP World Championship Tour ratings.

“I’m pretty happy with my result,” Medina said. “The waves here have been so good all week and it has been a great trip. I haven’t had the best season in terms of results but I’m very happy to make the Final and congrats to Kelly (Slater) – he was surfing amazing all event.”

Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, two-time ASP World Champion, has taken over the ASP WCT ratings’ lead with his Equal 3rd place finish at the Volcom Fiji Pro. A standout performer throughout the event, even having a crack at Cloudbreak during Friday’s mega swell, Fanning was unable to find a rhythm in this morning’s Semifinal bout with Medina.

“Found myself on the wrong side of the rhythm this morning,” Fanning said. “It’s a bummer, but those heats happen. The ratings’ lead is great, but it’s so early in the season that it doesn’t necessarily mean anything at this point. That said, I’m feeling good and feel like I’m surfing well so I’m pumped.”

C.J. Hobgood (USA), 32, who along with his brother Damien are both hugely respected for their prowess in Fijian waters, went on a tear in his Quarterfinal bout against Adriano de Souza (BRA), 25, this morning, scoring a 9.97 in the dying moments to advance through to the Quarterfinals.

“It was a blessing that wave came and it did,” Hobgood said. “I knew Adriano (de Souza) was going to post huge scores and he did. I wasn’t on my game at first. I should have sat up top and Adriano had me on the ropes. He’s been surfing so well this year and I don’t think he’s had a worse event than the Semis. That wave came and I just put my head down. That feeling when they read out the score, it just feels good.”

Hobgood’s momentum, however, would run out in the Semifinals against eventual winner Slater. His Equal 3rd place finish moves him from 15th to 12th on the ASP World Championship Tour ratings.

VOLCOM FIJI PRO FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Kelly Slater (USA) 18.16
2 – Gabriel Medina (BRA) 10.87

VOLCOM FIJI PRO SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.93 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 6.57
SF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 19.50 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.50

VOLCOM FIJI PRO REMAINING QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 3: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.57 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 7.76
QF 4: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 16.14 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.76

CURRENT ASP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR TOP 5 (After Volcom Fiji Pro):
1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 24,750 pts
2. Kelly Slater (USA) 23,700 pts
3. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 23,700 pts
4. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 22,400 pts
5. Taj Burrow (AUS) 20,950 pts

38 View comments
38 comments so far...
1.

Wow, what a twat this jimbob is… the comp was sick, exciting as f… NEVER get tired of watching slats, he is still the only one to pull out impossible stuff, great show. And looks like medina is a real deal. thats it

by Matt 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (19)
2.

I remember when an event was an event no matter how big the surf got.
Robbie Bain and Salazar caught inside at maxing Waimea Bay during the Billabong Pro…Big waves were the domain of Pro surfers, as were small waves and everything in between.
Is it a case of today’s Pros being softer than those of yesteryear, or is it the ASP that is becoming limp wristed?
Watching Potts calling bullshit on a heat being stopped because Jordy hurt his ribs
was a reminder to us all I think.
Ive never heard of a Matador not getting in the ring because “that Bull looks really nasty, let him calm down a bit first”.
Pro surfing needs events that People talk about for weeks after. This is how Legends are made and lesser knowns get that chance to shine.
Do the Surfers get a say? or is it an event Directors call?
Anyways, great surfing, congrats to Kelly..Again.

by Megaspray 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (10)
3.

in the top 5

Response to # by grif 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (9)
4.

Im an aussie and i think medina is a guru…super chilled and in the zone. No ego and talking shit up. Good on you mate ! Keep thrilling everyone with your pure surfing…

by Bruce 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (8)
5.

did john john win heats as did medina? did he beat slater a lot of times and a whole bunch of other tops as much as medina? no he didnt……we´ve been seing john john since he was 5(whatever) ripping in hawaii……whats to expect?!?!?! what about medina? coming from a country with sloppy waves and beating everyone on tour on SMALL WAVES and on EPIC WAVES………..no one will ever be better than slater……but lets give medina what he deserves and thats huge congrats from everyone. oh btw, medina haters: wheres the “wanna see this kid in epic waves/barrel waves” ? did you see the waves in fiji this contest? enough said…….ps. totally true what James B said….

by Shane Powell 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (7)
1.

So here we are 20years on an kelly winning again,hobgood quarterfinalist, kinda growing tired of it , kinda like re runs of a by gone era,a few highlights, wilson , john john, john john mum in a bikini, Colborn,s win, oh an maxing cloundbreak , minus the top 44 surfers in the world

by jimbob 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (1)
    2.

    Actually CJ got to the semis – he’s been one of the best surfers at CB and restaurants for the past decade and he still is. This was one of the best events in the past few years and you’re whining about it – there’s no pleasing some people…

    Response to #1 by samgreen 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (5)
3.

Wow, what a twat this jimbob is… the comp was sick, exciting as f… NEVER get tired of watching slats, he is still the only one to pull out impossible stuff, great show. And looks like medina is a real deal. thats it

by Matt 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (19)
4.

Keep up the excellent work Gabriel! You’re the guy!

by Rudy 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (6)
5.

Slater was absolutely ripping. He looks like he is getting younger. Maybe he has Kalani to thank for that. Did anyone see her instagram yesterday. Arse like a ten year old boy!!! All the sooks out there are upset that slater stifled their boys dreams of a world title.

by surf nurse 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (0)
6.

I remember when an event was an event no matter how big the surf got.
Robbie Bain and Salazar caught inside at maxing Waimea Bay during the Billabong Pro…Big waves were the domain of Pro surfers, as were small waves and everything in between.
Is it a case of today’s Pros being softer than those of yesteryear, or is it the ASP that is becoming limp wristed?
Watching Potts calling bullshit on a heat being stopped because Jordy hurt his ribs
was a reminder to us all I think.
Ive never heard of a Matador not getting in the ring because “that Bull looks really nasty, let him calm down a bit first”.
Pro surfing needs events that People talk about for weeks after. This is how Legends are made and lesser knowns get that chance to shine.
Do the Surfers get a say? or is it an event Directors call?
Anyways, great surfing, congrats to Kelly..Again.

by Megaspray 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (10)
    7.

    love it – although i get the feeling the surfers did have a say with this one. too much glitz, not enough gritt

    Response to #6 by i second that 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (0)
    8.

    SOOOOOOO after reading just about EVERY comment on EVERY website covering THE Fiji EVENT! people seem compelled to compare Pro Surfing Toady to Pro Surfing Yesterday. SO let’s compare then shall we: during PRO SURFING YESTERDAY (PSY) pros had a total wave count of 6, 5 ,4 and 3 before it became the 2 we know and love. Fought each other on beach before/during/after heat(s). Surfed Drunk/Stoned/High/or combo of all 3 during heat(s). Had crazy paddle battles that had nothing to do with actual wave riding, & usually resulted in blown waves or sitting too deep, etc. Oh yeah, most of heats were 20-25 mins! AND NO JETSKI assist – so less surfing all around. PRO SURFING TODAY (PST): 30 min heats, priority (except 3 man heats), 2 waves count, sober surfers (for good or bad – your call) Sportmanship (for most part) AND BEST SURFING EVER in HEATS! Let’s not even try to compare the two – they are just way too different. One thing I do love about PSY is the rail work those guys laid down – looks like PST might be coming around to that way of surfing. Let’s hope so.

    Response to #6 by Matt OBrien 14 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (0)
9.

I don;t think the event was ruined by them not going out in the juice. I also think it’s kinda cool that the guys that ride (ie: live to, and charge) this stuff, are broadcast using the comps logistics… otherwise we’d be waiting to see it in print or a vid months later. That said; I’m old enough to remember pro-surfers being sent out into conditions regardless of the size, which underlines that that era in surfing, is truly over.

by Aitch 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (1)
10.

as I was saying.. i said it at THE TITLE topic on this site. kelly is hardly difficult to stand sometimes. overscored on his first wave for sure. i think so. but he is the champ and will take his chance on this medina and jj era now. the other guys.. i love them but are just part of the big race. it’s ridiculous. and you guys said it that the kid can’t surf these kind of conditions? there’s no excuse boys. c’mon. i’m not even kiding. and double J fuck. i say this kid will almost beat kellys 11 titles in a few years. it’s in the eye of the kid. fuckin freak.

by jokerman 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (3)
11.

Gabriel Medina was the name of the contest! Do you guys remember what Slater was doing when he was 18 years old? Competing in junior events in USA.

Medina, 18 years old and already two wins on CT, 5th in Pipeline, and now second, losing only to Slater and beating Joel, Taj and Mick (twice) in perfect waves at Cloudbreak and Restaurants.

Medina IS the real deal. Maybe John John is too, will depend on his will and competitive mojo. But Medina has the talent AND the inner fire, and that is something not easy to achieve by John John nor the other new kids.

by James B 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (6)
    12.

    John John is the more talented and well rounded of the two. Medina is ridiculously talented and will be a title contender for years but don’t talk like he’s going to be better than Slater. Also, he got to the quarters at Pipe by only winning 2 heats, and in each of them his opponent only scored less than 3 points. No I’m not a Medina hater or racist and yes, he is my favourite surfer from brazil.

    Response to #11 by samgreen 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (2)
    13.

    Kelly began winning pro contests when he was 18, and world titles when he was 20. I mustve missed these “junior events” you speak of that he was doing at 18, because i only recall him killing it in pro events at that time. Please check your facts before you post dumb ass

    Response to #11 by randall 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (2)
14.

I agree with samgreen, and yes I’m brazilian! But this whole thing about Gabriel and his 5th at pipe is unreal, his heats were really slow and the scores low.
Gabriel, together with John John are the future, but think that they will beat Kelly numbers, sorry is unreal too…

And just to finish, what a great campaign Gabriel made it, proving that he get the mojo for barrels, not like John John but he is in the game!

by Tiago 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (0)
15.

Easy, guys, i´m not saying Medina is going to be better than Slater. Kelly has 11 world titles, and this is hard to be beaten. But, again, compare the numbers: Medina at 18 years old x Slater at 18 yaers old. Thios can´t be denied.

At Cloudbreak this year, must have been, maybe, Kelly´s 30th trip to Fiji!! And Gabriel´s first!! And the kid made the final! Phenom!!

by James B 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (5)
16.

do you homos even surf?

by blowjob 11 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (2)
17.

A fact:

- Navarro, Walsh, Mcintosh, Gudang, Double J and others from the chargers crew were the real names of the event.

Thats something that should be remembered every time one talks about this contest.

by Smith 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (2)
18.

did john john win heats as did medina? did he beat slater a lot of times and a whole bunch of other tops as much as medina? no he didnt……we´ve been seing john john since he was 5(whatever) ripping in hawaii……whats to expect?!?!?! what about medina? coming from a country with sloppy waves and beating everyone on tour on SMALL WAVES and on EPIC WAVES………..no one will ever be better than slater……but lets give medina what he deserves and thats huge congrats from everyone. oh btw, medina haters: wheres the “wanna see this kid in epic waves/barrel waves” ? did you see the waves in fiji this contest? enough said…….ps. totally true what James B said….

by Shane Powell 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (7)
19.

kelly is so addicted to winning he is willing to ride a surfboard not quite suited to the conditions in order to make his surfing look more spectaculay with all his arm movements and nursing his bottom turns to make them look more on edge,,haha sold out so much he was nursing his sentences while commentating on the guys having a dig when it got big, Cant imagine curren doing the same years ago. Hope they sell more barny rubbles though i guess..?John John and others though were honest about their approach. Was a real changing of the guard as i saw it…the real guys exposed the point scorers. kelly seems to be losing his jedi cred a little bit. Yoda would want more from kellys training in the degabar system i think…anyhow ive probably had a wine too many so thats my input…whats the world coming toooooooo…

by handjive 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (3)
    20.

    you’re right. i think you’ve had too much wine. i’m no slater groupie, but dude was absolutely blazing on that 5’9″ quad. no one else in the latter parts of the comp was doing those faded, deep bottom turn/past-vertical top turn combos. (‘cept for adriano, maybe). shit was crazy. i think the disgruntled internet conspiracy theorists need to get past their own cynicism and just acknowledge the fact that, most times, the best surfer on any given day is the one who wins. just happened to be slater on this day.

    Response to #19 by jojo 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (1)
    21.

    I foresee some real aggressiveness in tahiti.
    With what happened with ads and then the public commentary by slater, they are fueling the fire. Check out heats that have the hobgoods, ads, and slater…. this should be good theatre.

    Response to #19 by check it 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (2)
22.

so many serious heads in surfing these days. Over critiquing everything…jeez just relax everyone its meant to be fun remember!

by yezza 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (2)
23.

Win..Lose..Draw..? Who really cares?/ That guy from Chile looked the happiest out of every one. Nathan fletcher is a demi god like a lot of those big wave dudes. The free surf day was the winner overall. Totally natural flowing with nature.

by 10'11'' quad 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (0)
    24.

    so true….thats because he has been surfing huge cold waves alone at bottom of Chile , for the love of riding waves, for years……. must be stoked to be in boardies

    Response to #23 by shrivelled 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (1)
25.

I would’ve really liked to see the wct crew out in the big stuff, it was disappointing. Maybe bobby Martinez is right about the asp after all. I’d like to know who made the call. Volcom or asp.

by Chico 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (2)
    26.

    That shot of Bede is sick. Those two heats looked like the beginning of the best third round ever. There’s a month and a half till Tahiti for everyone to lick their wounds after the beat down that cloudbreak was set to deliver. Or a month and a half to think about the most insane wave they ever got in a contest. as a spectator I was amped! then i tuned in to just over head restaurants. normal contest deal. nothing special. keep talking about the razor sharp reef. uh huh keep talking about the free surf keep looking out to cloudbreak and thinking maybe we should have…compensating cote no just kidding those were sick waves too but fuuuuuuuck you guys better bring bigger boards to tahiti!!!! dont want anyone to miss out on any waves…thats why you make the big bucks….thats why they flew you out there…thats why its not brazil or trestles thats why its not tennis. i know that when i get scared and pass i wish i hadn’t every time.

    Response to #25 by hindsight 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (2)
27.

WHERE IS THE MEDINA HATERS?????
THE RACISTS?????????
WHERE TAJ, MICK and PRAKO
hahahahhahahahahhahahahahhhahaahhahahahahahahahaha

by juli 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (0)
    28.

    in the top 5

    Response to #27 by grif 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (9)
29.

medina tore it apart, better than 95% of the americans…
it was the medina, hobgood, wright, and slater show.
jjf was ripping every heat.

by the future looks bright 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (1)
    30.

    hey a san antonian on yahoo qisotuens haha cool ..nice lake been there a few times. I never even heard of that company. just get a company with a nice long back ground .they usually walk you through it.

    Response to #29 by Deanna 29 Aug 2012 Respond Report  (0)
31.

james b is a homo

by james b 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (0)
32.

all thos people stuck on Tavarua for 2 weeks and not one piece of gossip !

by Murdoch 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (0)
33.

Im an aussie and i think medina is a guru…super chilled and in the zone. No ego and talking shit up. Good on you mate ! Keep thrilling everyone with your pure surfing…

by Bruce 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (8)
34.

Thanks for a cock feast Volcom

by gomes 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (0)
35.

after Kelly who gonna be the title contender?
Kolohe or Taylor Know? hahahaha
wait wait!
maybe Simpo! hahahahaha

by Tiago 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (1)
    36.

    brett simpson fucking shreds, dickhead

    Response to #35 by tony yayo 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (4)
37.

you want gossip? well where’s the Bruce? hmmm, i sense trouble. could he be rehabbing himself, you know, surf related rehab?? what about Joel and Luke? the Duke Boys!! Luke took off with Ms. Daisy and now all Parko gets are “wish you well” emails… : (

Raoni Montero walks on water in heavy barrels… good god son. Owen and the Hobgoods, damn

by tina marie 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (1)
    38.

    tina marie , you will need to do better than that on the fence garb , the story girl!!

    Response to #37 by Murdoch. 12 Jun 2012 Respond Report  (0)

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