FIJI – Six-time world champion and current ratings #2 Kelly Slater (FL, USA) was the shock elimination of round three, losing to Hawaiian wildcard Fred Patacchia. The 32-year-old trailed throughout the 25-minute heat, ironically against an opponent who nearly missed
FIJI – Six-time world champion and current ratings #2 Kelly Slater (FL, USA) was the shock elimination of round three, losing to Hawaiian wildcard Fred Patacchia. The 32-year-old trailed throughout the 25-minute heat, ironically against an opponent who nearly missed the anticipated showdown. Patacchia, the Quiksilver Trials runner-up, was still napping just minutes prior to the start of their heat and needed to be woken, but quickly came alive once in the lineup. The 22-year-old posted an 8.17 and then another 8.1 to storm ahead. Slater, meanwhile, never earned higher than a 6.67 and required a near-perfect 9.6 at conclusion.
“I’m definitely stoked,” said a smiling Patacchia. “I came here with the intention of doing good, and getting Kelly in a heat for the first time in my life is mind boggling. I kind of woke up late and was a bit rattled, but was able to pull it back together. I guess the stars were aligned for me today (laughs). I didn’t really have any strategy, as obviously Kelly Slater is the best surfer in the world and I have a lot of respect for him and his surfing. I didn’t really come here expecting to beat Slater… I came to fish (laughs). I’m having a great time and hope to go further in the event.”
For Slater, the equal 17th result does nothing for his seventh world title aspirations. “I fell on a couple and was feeling a bit nervous and not confident on my feet,” acknowledged Slater. “This is just a ‘throwaway’ (result) now. It doesn’t help me, and if anything hurts me. I didn’t even surf in this event last year, so if I can get my head back to where it was last season, and start competing at that level, it should be an interesting finish to the year.”
Reigning two-time world champion and current ratings leader Andy Irons (Kauai, HAW) enjoyed the opposite fate. The defending Quiksilver Pro winner kept wildcard danger man Tom Carroll (Newport, AUS) at bay, opening with a 10-point ride. The flawless display of backhand surfing marked the second perfect score awarded so far, and the 25-year-old was then able to snag another 8.17 under his opponent’s priority to extend his a commanding lead and advance.
