hellwoman
02-23-2008, 10:13 PM
Surfing king anoints Mick as his heir
Luke Turgeon
23Feb08
The undisputed greatest surfer in history, 36-year-old Slater said current world champion Fanning had the potential to create a dynasty of his own by continuing to push the boundaries of high performance surfing.
"No one can discount what Mick Fanning is doing right now," said the eight-time world champion.
"Mick has really stepped up, and last year it just seemed to me he applied everything he has ever learned. He had come-from-behind wins, he dominated most heats.
"He had contests where he dominated from heat one through to the end, highest scores in almost every round. I am sure that is going to give him confidence coming into this year."
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Slater arrived on the Gold Coast from California yesterday after missing the official Quiksilver Pro launch on Thursday.
Despite still suffering the itchy effects from a run-in with poison oak on the golf course a fortnight ago, Slater said he was feeling fit and ready to compete.
But he refused to commit to the entire 11 World Tour stops this season, saying it would be 'highly unlikely' he would challenge for the title.
"I will definitely do the Quiksilver (his personal sponsor) events but I doubt I will do every event on tour this year," said Slater.
"I am in a transforming phase I guess ... more time to experiment and just work on other things and surf waves that I want to surf and follow swells. And pretty much have a bit more time with family."
Slater has come close to walking away from the tour several times in the past two seasons. In 2006 he announced he would most likely not compete the full year but went on to win the world title after a bumper start to the year.
But he said this time is different.
"There is not quite that excitement I've had in the past," said Slater, currently rated No.3 in the world.
... "Anyone who has the opportunity wants to go out on top at their highest point.
"But it is also a difficult place to let go as well.
"Arguably, if you are sitting at No.1, you have the chance to do that a couple more times so you're not necessarily going to give it up at that point.
"But you don't want to go out in an ugly way, holding on kicking and screaming."
Slater predicted West Australian Taj Burrow, three-time world champ Andy Irons and South African rookie Jordy Smith would be the surfers most likely to challenge Fanning for the world title this season.
Luke Turgeon
23Feb08
The undisputed greatest surfer in history, 36-year-old Slater said current world champion Fanning had the potential to create a dynasty of his own by continuing to push the boundaries of high performance surfing.
"No one can discount what Mick Fanning is doing right now," said the eight-time world champion.
"Mick has really stepped up, and last year it just seemed to me he applied everything he has ever learned. He had come-from-behind wins, he dominated most heats.
"He had contests where he dominated from heat one through to the end, highest scores in almost every round. I am sure that is going to give him confidence coming into this year."
Gold Coast surfing 2008 photo gallery
More Gold Coast surfing photos
High tides and big seas photo gallery
Gold Coast surfing news
Slater arrived on the Gold Coast from California yesterday after missing the official Quiksilver Pro launch on Thursday.
Despite still suffering the itchy effects from a run-in with poison oak on the golf course a fortnight ago, Slater said he was feeling fit and ready to compete.
But he refused to commit to the entire 11 World Tour stops this season, saying it would be 'highly unlikely' he would challenge for the title.
"I will definitely do the Quiksilver (his personal sponsor) events but I doubt I will do every event on tour this year," said Slater.
"I am in a transforming phase I guess ... more time to experiment and just work on other things and surf waves that I want to surf and follow swells. And pretty much have a bit more time with family."
Slater has come close to walking away from the tour several times in the past two seasons. In 2006 he announced he would most likely not compete the full year but went on to win the world title after a bumper start to the year.
But he said this time is different.
"There is not quite that excitement I've had in the past," said Slater, currently rated No.3 in the world.
... "Anyone who has the opportunity wants to go out on top at their highest point.
"But it is also a difficult place to let go as well.
"Arguably, if you are sitting at No.1, you have the chance to do that a couple more times so you're not necessarily going to give it up at that point.
"But you don't want to go out in an ugly way, holding on kicking and screaming."
Slater predicted West Australian Taj Burrow, three-time world champ Andy Irons and South African rookie Jordy Smith would be the surfers most likely to challenge Fanning for the world title this season.