Nine-times world surfing champion Kelly Slater will consider giving up on his title defence after crashing out in the second round of the Billabong Pro in Tahiti yesterday.
And in a day of upsets, Australian points leader Joel Parkinson was knocked out by American journeyman Taylor Knox in their round-three
heat.
Slater blamed outside distractions after his shock loss to little-known Spaniard Aritz Aranburu which left the American languishing near the foot of the ratings after three straight 17th-place finishes.
While Slater is desperate to add a 10th world title to his resume, the 37-year-old admits he may have to put that dream on ice.
"That might have given me a long vacation. It's really decision time," Slater said after his Teahupoo campaign came undone at the first hurdle.
"I don't want to just fall off the map [in the title race] but I already have.
"I'm in the 20s there somewhere.
"But last year I had two [17th placings] and had a ninth and missed an event [and still won the title]. So numbers-wise, I'm still within the possibility of getting myself into something later in the year but I have to put something together."
The title race was thrown wide open when Parkinson, winner of the opening two events, suffered a crushing 15.46 to 5.57 defeat to Knox. Parkinson's slip-up opens the door for fellow Australian Mick Fanning and American CJ Hobgood to make their move up the ratings.
West Australian Taj Burrow, Michael Campbell, Hobgood and Knox have already booked their place in the final eight, with four third-round heats still to be completed.
- AAP
