7 Apr 2012

Slater's perfection not good enough

9:34 am on 7 April 2012

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.