The 11-time world surfing champion, American Kelly Slater, scored a perfect ten from the judges in the Rip Curl Pro men's final yesterday but still couldn't earn a record fifth title at Victoria's Bells Beach.
Instead, Australian Mick Fanning produced two lesser rides to claim victory under a points system which rewards a surfer's two best-scoring waves.
Slater remains tied with Australian surfing legend Mark Richards as the only four-time men's winners at Bells.