Gear Sports

Bobby Martinez cleaned up at the Billabong Pro in Mundaka, but it was Kelly Slater who stole the headlines when he secured the eighth ASP World Championship of his star-studded career.

Slater achieved the unimaginable when he knocked out championship rival Joel Parkinson in a hotly-contested semi final. Despite the sketchy three-foot waves, Slater managed to pull the win out of the bag with some stellar riding.

Speaking afterwards he said: “This has definitely been my most consistent year ever, I’m stoked!”

After his semi-final win Slater let his foot of the gas somewhat in the final and Martinez was quick to take full advantage. He powered home with a feverish small wave attack to seal his second tour win of the season.

Martinez’s best wave came when he pumped out no less than 12 to 15 forehand snaps over a 100 metre distance to earn him a score of 8.83 out of 10. That allowed him to clock up a final round total of 16.40 which Slater’s 14.27 simply couldn’t match.

The 24-year-old was beaming when he made it back to shore, he said: “I don’t know what to say, it’s been an amazing year for me. I just can’t believe it!”

Martinez also beat out Phil Macdonald, Dean Morrison, and Andy Irons on his way to the final and the calls are now getting louder for him to be crowned rookie of the year.

So with two events still to go the title is done and dusted, but there’s still plenty of places fight for as we reach the closing stage of the season. Next up is the Nova Schin Festival, keep your eyes glued to extreme for all the latest action.

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