Kelly Slater Officially Claims 2011 ASP World Title

It was an unnerving mistake, but Kelly Slater had no hard feelings after he was awarded the 2011 ASP World Title prematurely. With the help of a few good waves at the Rip Curl Pro, Slater advanced to the Quarterfinals and reclaimed his title.

Kelly Slater has officially claimed a historic 11th ASP World Title, acheiving his year-long goal by advancingto the Quarterfinals of the 2011 Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco.

In tricky three-to-five foot waves, Kelly Slater got the best of young Brazilians Miguel Pupo and Gabriel Medina in his non-elimination Round 4 heat to advance directly through to the Quarterfinals and secure an unprecedented 11th ASP World Title.

“It was a confirmed the other day, but we’re sure now,” Slater said. “I’m stoked. I was upset about it, but I also thought it was really funny. There are no hard feelings towards ASP and mistakes happen."

Kelly Slater, who was prematurely crowned the 2011 ASP World Champion after a mathematical error occurred earlier this week, had to quickly change his mindset and gear up for more competition.

"It was a little tough to readjust," said Slater. "...and I was going against kids who could be my kids and they throw radical airs. I was hoping for big offshore barrels, not closeout onshore ramps. I just didn’t know what to expect out there. I didn’t know if we’d have air sections and it was kind of flat with a lot of power. The waves were closeouts and fast with a weird landing.”

Slater admitted that securing his 11th elite crown at the Rip Curl Pro was a bit lackluster, but remained positive regarding the mistake.

“It’s a little anticlimactic,” Slater said. “There have been a few of these mistakes over the course of history, but this one was a bit weird. I called Renato (Hickel) in the morning after I won because I was supposed to do this Dan Patrick show and I hadn’t won yet. I knew we wouldn’t surf for a day or two so people could get it out of their system and I could have a few days to refocus.”