Kelly Slater wins his 10th World Title

Kelly Slater dedicates title to Irons

November 7, 2010 - 3:14PM

Kelly Slater after winning his record 10th ASP world surfing title in Puerto Rico. Photo: AP

Surfing king Kelly Slater found the perfect way to highlight his incredible career and then dedicated it to rival and friend Andy Irons who died last week.

Slater marked his unprecedented 10th world title victory with a 10 out 10 wave score to also win the Rip Curl Pro Search event in Puerto Rico on Saturday.

The 38-year-old American has set a championship mark that may never be bettered, and in doing so joins the likes of Tiger Woods, Michael Schumacher, Michael Phelps, Lance Armstrong and Roger Federer as part of sporting royalty.

 

But an emotional Slater's thoughts remained with three-time world champion Irons who died in a Dallas-Forth Worth airport hotel room while reportedly battling illness and trying get home to Hawaii from the Puerto Rico event.

"I just want to send my condolences to Andy's family, I'm a little overwhelmed right now but I want to dedicate this to Andy," said Slater.
"It's like exact opposites. This doesn't really offset that, I'd give this title away in a second if Andy could come back."