Injury Forces Slater Out Of Surfing Event
By Space Coast Daily // May 9, 2012
Hall of Fame Inductee
Slater World’s Greatest Surfer Of All Time
RIO de JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame inductee Kelly Slater of Cocoa Beach, who tops the ASP World Tour surfing rankings, has withdrawn from the Billabong Pro Rio event this week in Brazil.
“I injured the inside of my left heel in Java and then re-opened it again the following week at Cloudbreak,” Slater said in an ASP’s press release.
“It became infected and I flew to Australia to get it treated and stitched in hopes of making it to Rio, if not for Round 1, at least for Round 2.”
Slater said he’s been in the water since getting it stitched and still cannot do turns which forced him to withdraw from the Rio event.
“It’s unfortunate, but I’m just going to focus on healing up as soon as possible right now,” he said.
Slater, 40, is bidding to win his 12th ASP world championship this year.
His 13,200 points lead the current ASP standings ahead of Brazilian Adriano de Souza (11,750) and Australian Mick Fanning (11,750).
If healed, Slater hopes to compete again in the next ASP event, the Volcom Fiji Pro starting June 3 in Fiji.
Slater will be included among the first-ever inductees for the Space Coast Hall of Fame on Friday night at the Cocoa Beach Country Club.
THE SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 11 with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. – and dinner and ceremony at 7 p.m.
FOR INFORMATION & TICKETS to the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Induction dinner call 321-615-8111 or e-mail MaverickMultimedia@gmail.com
