Surfing: Champion too good

Six-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater won the Australian Open in tricky one-metre waves at Maroubra Beach, Sydney, yesterday.

The American scored 18.10 points out of 20 to beat the three other finalists.

Australia's lone finalist, Cronulla's Kirk Flintoff, was second on 12 points, with Brazilian Neco Padaratz third and Floridian Damien Hobgood fourth.