Eight-time world champ Kelly Slater was supposed to only be surfing selected events this season but is a solid number one in the ratings after winning the 2008 Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, Australia.

It’s Slater’s third career victory at Bells and he’s already won the first two events of the season.

The Floridian edged Australia’s Bede Durbidge 15.63-15.16 to ring the bell again on a day that featured a big trio of victories for him. First, Slater crushed former three-time world champ Andy Irons in the quarterfinals, then Taj Burrow in the semis.

The contest returned to Bells after a few days at nearby Winkipop, and good 4-6 foot conditions greeted the final day of competition. Durbidge led most of the finale before Slater launched a giant aerial with time running down for an 8.83 and the win.

“I thought Bede had me,” Slater told ASP. “I wasn’t trying to worry too much or stress. I was happy just to be in the Final. I was really surprised Bede let me paddle up to Rincon by myself. But when I looked back, he was still in the bowl. Then that wave came that let me do that big air.”

Santa Barbara’s Bobby Martinez reached the semifinal with a big victory over defending world champ Mick Fanning before being eliminated by Durbidge. Ventura’s Dane Reynolds was stopped in the quarters by Burrow.

After event no. 2, Slater holds a large 500-point lead over Durbidge in the ratings, while Fanning is third. Martinez is California’s top surfer at the moment at no. 8, Reynolds is 11th, Tim Reyes of Huntington Beach is 13th and Chris Ward is 46th.

The Billabong Pro at Teahupoo, Tahiti begins May 8.

– Shawn

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