TAVARUA, Fiji, June 11 (UPI) -- American veteran Kelly Slater moved into first place in the Association of Surfing Professionals point standings Wednesday by winning the Volcom Fiji Pro.
The 41-year-old Slater mastered the six-to-eight foot Pacific swells in the final heat and came ashore with a near-perfect 19.80 score against 15.70 points for his opponent, Mick Fanning of Australia.
It was the crowning touch of a spectacular tournament for Slater, who has won the ASP world championship 11 times. He scored perfect scores of 20 in both the quarterfinals and semis.
Fanning started fast with a 9.2 on the first wave, but Slater answered with a 10 on the next wave and never looked back. "That was insane," Slater said. "When we stared out in the final heat, Mick had position and I was a little deep, but the next one (wave) was unbelievable."
The victory moved Slater into first place in the points race with 26,950 points. Fanning is in second with 26,200. Jordy Smith of South African is in third place.
The ASP World Championship Tour moves to Bali June 18-29.
