Former nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater defeated defending ASP World Champion Mick Fanning in clean conditions at backup location Johanna Beach to claim his fourth career victory at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, equaling Mark Richards’ record for most victories at Bells. The stage is now set for Slater to make an unprecedented run at a tenth World Title.

The odds didn’t look to be in Slater’s favor earlier in the week. During a break between second and third round competition, Slater suffered a hairline fracture to his right foot (Slater told Stab Magazine’s Jed Smith that the injury was “where his big toe meets the foot”) at a Bells Beach freesurfing session. Slater landed awkwardly after attempting an air reverse (Joel Parkinson injured his ankle last year in similar fashion, attempting an air during a freesurfing session) and had to be rushed to Melbourne Hospital. After receiving local anesthetic to ease the pain, Slater barely made it back in time for his third round heat against Dusty Payne, which he narrowly won.

Slater was the recipient of good news the following day, when his wish for a lay day was granted. The extra day of rest allowed Slater to recover enough to oust a strong lineup of surfers that included Michel Bourez, Bede Durbdige, and Bobby Martinez (who had criticized Slater just last month) before defeating Fanning in the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach final to extend Slater’s record of career ASP World Tour victories to 42.

Inconsistent conditions forced contest organizers to move the event to a different location three different times. The opening day’s event was held at Bells Beach, day two was moved to Thirteenth Beach, the third day was held at Winkipop before moving for a final time to Johanna Beach, where Slater used his bag of tricks to put himself into direct contention for a tenth World Title.

“It was a lot more difficult than it looked out there,” said Slater. “The tide came up and the takeoff was a lot deeper than we thought it would be. I was getting bumped and bounced and falling, and I had five or six waves before I got something going.”

Slater’s two highest scores in the final came late, with Fanning holding on to a steady lead. Slater started the scoring barrage with an insane alley-oop aerial that scored an 8.93. Slater pulled so much air on the maneuver that his feet completely separated from the board, and after landing the trick Slater disappeared in the foam for a few seconds before emerging standing on his board. “On that 8.93, I was up in the air and when I landed, I kind of fell on my butt and did the one-footed shuffle, but I recovered there,” said Slater. “Then I paddled straight into that second wave and that was it.”

After pulling off a second challenging wave that scored him an 8.10, Slater’s combined scoring total of 17.03 was more than enough to defeat Fanning’s 12.00 and win the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. “I’m really excited because I remembered that before this contest I promised myself that if I won, I would give to trophy to the Wathaurong (local aboriginal tribe) people,” said Slater. “I didn’t remember that until I was out in the water and right when I did, those waves came. So before I give it to them, I want to pass the trophy around for everyone to give a ring because that’s never been done before.

“It’s a long year but I’m excited to put up a result here,” continued Slater. “I felt like I was surfing well on the Gold Coast but didn’t get the result I was looking for. So to come here and back it up is a step in the right direction.”

The ASP World Tour shifts gears and continents, heading to Brazil for the third leg of the ASP World Tour, the Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil. Kelly Slater won the event last year. The contest window opens on April 23rd.