After much conjecture re the viability of an ASP pro surfing event in New York, the world’s best put on a spectacular aerial display bolstered by swell left in the wake of Hurricane Irene. With ten times world champ¬†Kelly Slater having pipped him at the post in the monstorous surf at a week or so back at Tahiti’s Teahupoo, rookie Australian surfer Owen Wright has landed his first major win, earning him surfing’s biggest pay check, with Slater in second position. A 50,000 strong crowd gathered on Long Beach as 21-year old Wright, along with fellow Australians¬†Taj Burrows, Josh Kerr and Julian Wilson, battled it out to take home the $300,000 purse – the largest ever prize in the sports history!
READ THIS GREAT BLOG POST – by Tracks magazine’s editor Luke Kennedy
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS of the event -¬†at 3min 20 see what many claim to be Slater’s most spectacular air to date, proving that at 39, the ten time world champion still has plenty more to give. Slater goes on to predict that Owen will undoubtedly enjoy a long career at the top of the sport, believing the rookie will score more than one world title, claiming that he is the most solid all rounder on the tour.
