KIRRA, Australia, March 12 (UPI) -- Kelly Slater of the United States opened the 2013 pro surfing tour by beating reigning champion Joel Parkinson of Australia at the Quicksilver Pro Gold Coast.
Slater, 41, rode the 3-5 foot breakers at the Kirra break in Queensland, Australia Wednesday for 18.56 points to 17.47 for Parkinson.
Slater had his hands full making the finals earlier in the day. He fell behind Australian Mick Fanning in the early waves of their semi-final heat but battled back for a narrow 18.60-19.37 win with the help of a perfect 10 on one wave.
"I had a really good start and put in some solid scores. Kelly just did his 'Kelly thing' and got that incredible 10 and really put himself back in the hunt," Fanning said of his American opponent, who has won the Association of Surfing Professionals championship 11 times.
Parkinson earned his trip to the finals by ousting Michel Bourez of French Polynesia 18.17-15.80.
The ASP scores its heats based on the competitors best two waves. A 10 is given for a perfect ride, and scores of eight or better for both waves are generally needed for a competitor to advance.
