Kauai's Irons Loses World Title Bid
For the past three years, Andy Irons has dominated the world of surf. The Kauai native has won three straight world championships and two Triple Crown titles. But today, his reign ended in Brazil against his biggest rival.
When it comes down to the final two surfers in the title race, Andy Irons, 27, and Kelly Slater, 33, are most likely the guys left. Combined they've won nine world titles in the last 13 years.
Add to that 2005, which now belongs to Slater.
Irons went down fighting in the quarterfinals of the Nova Schin Festival in Brazil. Slater opened up the opportunity for Irons by losing in the fourth round by less than half a point. All Slater could do was wait out his fate while Irons surfed on.
Irons got past Round Four and just needed one more heat win to keep his title hopes alive. The win would have set up an epic showdown with Slater at Pipeline in December. But in the quarterfinals, Australian Nathan Hedge got the better of Irons by eliminating him on his second wave score by almost a point.
Slater watched it unfold from the shore where he began to celebrate. He admits Irons is tough competition.
"I'm feeling for Andy right now," Slater said. "I know how he feels. I guess we're kind of even in a way. I think that's a good thing for both of us and if I choose to do the tour next year, I know he'll be extra fired up and I know I'm going to have to step it up another level."
It's the seventh time in his career Slater has taken home the Association of Surfing Professionals world title. The record outdoes women's champion Layne Beachley, the only other surfer to have as many as six world titles. Slater, who became the youngest world champion as a 20-year-old back in 1992, now lays claim to the title as oldest-champion ever at age 33.
When it comes down to the final two surfers in the title race, Andy Irons, 27, and Kelly Slater, 33, are most likely the guys left. Combined they've won nine world titles in the last 13 years.
Add to that 2005, which now belongs to Slater.
Irons went down fighting in the quarterfinals of the Nova Schin Festival in Brazil. Slater opened up the opportunity for Irons by losing in the fourth round by less than half a point. All Slater could do was wait out his fate while Irons surfed on.
Irons got past Round Four and just needed one more heat win to keep his title hopes alive. The win would have set up an epic showdown with Slater at Pipeline in December. But in the quarterfinals, Australian Nathan Hedge got the better of Irons by eliminating him on his second wave score by almost a point.
Slater watched it unfold from the shore where he began to celebrate. He admits Irons is tough competition.
"I'm feeling for Andy right now," Slater said. "I know how he feels. I guess we're kind of even in a way. I think that's a good thing for both of us and if I choose to do the tour next year, I know he'll be extra fired up and I know I'm going to have to step it up another level."
It's the seventh time in his career Slater has taken home the Association of Surfing Professionals world title. The record outdoes women's champion Layne Beachley, the only other surfer to have as many as six world titles. Slater, who became the youngest world champion as a 20-year-old back in 1992, now lays claim to the title as oldest-champion ever at age 33.
posted by ams at 12:30 PM
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