STAB recently reported Kelly had surfed his last heat and we at SURF NEWS did too, but we were wrong it seems as STAB reports:

After speaking to rivals, the ASP and the man himself, it appears we were wrong. We apologize.

In our defense, the champ looked extremely deflated after his round-two exit from the Billabong Pro. It was his third 17th in succession and as he slumped on the seat of the Quiksilver boat, one leg pulled to his chest, his head lolling to the side and chatting with Raimana Van Bastolaer, it showed. Minutes later he appeared on the webcast and told commentator Greg Tomlinson: “That might have just given me a long vacation. It’s decision time… and I’m not really here to make up the numbers.”

Kelly’s antipathy toward the title race is nothing new. It was only last year he made similar threats before winning the championship in one of the most lopsided contests ever. STAB shouldn’t have bought it. World number two Taj Burrow, never did.

“He’s just lost three in a row. To Kelly, right now, those nine world titles wouldn’t even exist. He won’t wanna go out on that note,” said Taj.

Ending his career on a high is one thing. For Kelly to continue is to risk more than he stands to gain. Another poor result in Brazil would be a disaster. “Yeah, there is that too,” agreed Taj.

It’s an unenviable position for the champ. And according to men’s tour manager Renato Hickel, Kelly has less choice than it would seem. “You can’t just leave if you have a bad run. It would be an act of cowardice. If you have committed to the tour you should contest the whole year.”

As of right now, the ASP has not received the required notice of withdrawal. The last Renato heard, Kelly was looking for accommodation in Brazil.“But that was before his [heat loss] in Tahiti,” he admitted.

One person who would benefit from Kelly bailing is Jay “Bottle” Thompson. Bottle is only on the tour to make up for the absence of Luke Stedman, who has a twisted foot. Steds returns for Trestles in September. If Kelly bailed, Bottle would be allowed to stay. But even Bottle reckons Kelly should go the distance in 09. “As far as my career goes, it would be great [if Kelly left],” said Bottle, before adding, “[but] as far as surfing goes, it wouldn’t be good for the sport.”

World number eight Tom Whitaker says none of it would have affected Kelly’s decision. There is only one thing that’s been keeping Kelly on tour and nothing’s changed. “He likes travelling around the world,” said Tommy. “He loves Pipe. He’s definitely gonna go to [the Rip Curl Search] Portugal because the place where we are staying has a sick golf course. Plus he’s got a missus now to show the world.”

So has Slater racked his Merrick and sailed into the sunset? STAB spoke to the champ. This was his reply: “Not quite yet, buddy. I’m sure I’ll have a better announcement than an in-the-channel-online-banter to say I’ve quit. Thanks.”– Jed Smith

Photo: Michael Crawley

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As already reported by SURF NEWS DAILY, the LA Times is now adding fire to the idea that Kelly is out of the race:

What’s Kelly Slater’s next move?

The winner of nine world titles and undeniably the greatest competitive surfer of all time could not make it beyond the second round of an ASP World Tour contest for the third time in three competitions.

The latest person to send the legend packing, during the ongoing Billabong Pro Teahupoo in Tahiti, was Basque surfer Aritz Aranburu, who is ranked No. 39 in the world and had not even won a heat during the 2009 World Tour season.

Clearly, for Slater, the desire is gone. The flame has been extinguished. It’s as if the 37-year-old from Cocoa Beach, Fla., who clinched the title last year with two contests remaining, already has retired.

He said after the loss Monday afternoon (Tuesday in Tahiti): “That may have just given me an excuse for a big, long vacation.”

Mathematically, with seven contests remaining, Slater could contend for the title at season’s end. But he knows his chances are slim and he’s not in this for anything but title No. 10, a round number with which to cap a remarkable career and retire on a positive note.

Slater said he didn’t want to just “fall off the map,” but he has not committed to the next competition in Brazil. It’s a tough read at this point, and Slater might not have kissed off the season just yet. But here’s a likely scenario: Slater will earn title No. 10, but it will happen in 2010. This year, unlike last year, the title is up for grabs.

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