Slater Does it Again and Again

Kelly Slater is the newly crowned 10-time ASP World Champion, has claimed his 45th Elite Tour, take down the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico over the Bede Durbidge of pumping three-to-four foot (1.5 meter) waves in Porta Del Sol.

Event No. 9 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico has been a case of extremes.

Last Tuesday was the international sports world has meant a devastating blow by the tragic and unexpected loss of former three-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World Tour competitor Andy Irons (HAW), 32.

After a dismal two-day suspension of the incident out of respect for Irons's death, the world's best surfers roared back to life for two of the best-performing days in surfing history.

Today Slater concluded his historic and unprecedented 10th ASP World Championship title before going on to find out Rip Curl Surf Wear Pro Search Puerto Rico, so substantial and dominating a performance as the sporting world has ever testified.

"This is the only event in the vicinity of my home and I spent much time in Puerto Rico when I was little," Slater said. "I used to surf a lot of races at Jobos and Wilderness, so this was kind of like a homecoming for me. Many of my friends here I've known for 25 years and to surf with Dylan (Graves), I used to surf with his father in Florida when I was little. It was a special time. To be close to Florida and win the 10th and get the wave (Perfect 10) in the finals, there's nothing else I could add to it. "

Slater, who would go on to put up an incredible 18.77 of a possible 20 in the final, secured the second Perfect 10, demonstrates a masterful display of diversity and control of rippable afternoon conditions.

"The wave that did it for me was that first quarter-final against Adriano (de Souza)," Slater said. "It was the heat I needed to win to get the title, and after that first wave, I felt this wave of relief. I still had to win the heat, but I was so relaxed and everything just started going my way. I was in the best possible head space I could have been in for the rest of the day. This is a dream. "

Bede Durbidge (AUS), 27, missed the last ASP Dream Tour stop in Portugal to attend the birth of his first daughter, Willow, and today's number two is a fitting return to form for the large natural-footer.

"I felt good going into the final and that I was building momentum all the way, but Kelly (Slater) stopped me with that 10" Durbidge said. "There is still a great way to get back anyway. I missed the last stop in Portugal to be there for the birth of my daughter, Willow, and I can not wait to come home to her and my wife. I miss them both. We all surfed for Andy (Irons) this week and everyone was surfing great. "

Durbidge moving from ASP World No. 8 to ASP World No. 6 heading into the final stop in Hawaii.

Michel Bourez (PYF), 24, sent deadly rookie Owen Wright (AUS), 20, and current ASP World No. 2 Jordy Smith (ZAF), 22, in the morning with his patented blend of non-compromising, power surfing. Although unable to drive Durbidge in the semifinals, today marks the best result for Bourez.

"Disappointed, but very happy with my performance," Bourez said. "It's my best result of my career. It's been an emotional week. I do not think Andy (Irons) has been far from anyone's thoughts at all. It is so sad, but I think we all have surfed for him and all were ripping the last two days. "

Bourez's Equal 3rd in the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico moves Tahitian 10-9: e on the ASP World Title Race rankings.

Taj Burrow (AUS), 32, was in sensational form in his quarterfinal match against Dane Reynolds (USA), 25, opens the first Perfect 10 of the event for one of the deepest barrels ever in Porta Del Sol, which he left and continued to detonate three solid turns before completion.

"The wave was crazy," Burrow said. "It came right and the beginning of the heat and as I pulled under the lip, swallowed it all just me. I could not see anything and I felt myself sliding over the foam ball and get out. When I came out of the wave still had a really nice wall of it so I could click a few yards. When you draw someone like Dane (Reynolds) you have to go full throttle all the time. "

Glory could not pass by Slater in the semifinals, and will now focus their attention on Hawaii.