5 Nov 2011

Slater mistakenly awarded world surfing title

9:34 am on 5 November 2011

A calculation error is being blamed for prematurely awarding American Kelly Slater a record 11th world surfing title.

When Slater got past the third round of the tour's penultimate event in San Francisco earlier this week, competition officials said it was enough for him to secure the 2011 title.

However the Association of Surfing Professionals says it made an error and Slater needs to win one more heat in either San Francisco or the season-ending competition in Hawaii to confirm the title.