Slater loses battle, wins war?
/photo/2009/0919/as_surf_slater_action3_576.jpgTom Servais
Slater's disappointment at Trestles is destined to be a footnote
in a season of potential upheaval. Launch Trestles Gallery » The
big story from the Hurley Pro this past week at Trestles in
Southern California was not how Kelly Slater fell apart in
Saturday's semifinal against Mick Fanning after looking every
bit the form surfer through four days of competition. The nine-
time and defending world champion has won here three times in
nine tries, and his heat record was a remarkable 26-5 when the
semis began. But even if he hadn't botched several waves
uncharacteristically, Slater might have lost anywayFanning was
the better surfer today and took down Dane Reynolds in the
finals to prove it.  But the big story from Trestles was, in
fact, a non-story. Specifically, more than two months after
Slater's name was first linked to a proposed new tour that could
rise and counter the current ASP World Tour, there remains
frustra