Congratulations to nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA).  On Saturday, December 13^th Slater went on stage to receive his sixth award in the 2008 ASP World Tour.  This one was for the Billabong Pipeline Masters.  Out of the 17 times Slater has entered the competition he has went on to finals 10 times, and won the competition six.  In addition to his recent one, he clinched the title in 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1999.

Slater surfed eight to 10 foot waves beating Chris Ward (USA) in the first man-to-man final held in eight years at the infamous Pipeline. 

The event in 2009 will be something to look forward to.  Here are the surfers that automatically qualify for the tour:

World Nos. 1-10 respectively are: Kelly Slater (USA), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Taj Burrow (AUS), Joel Parkinson (AUS), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Mick Fanning (AUS), Bobby Martinez (USA) Jeremy Flores (FRA).

Surfers finishing World Nos. 11-27 respectively are: Luke Stedman (AUS), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Andy Irons (HAW), Chris Ward (USA), Kai Otton (AUS), Tim Reyes (USA), Tom Whitaker (AUS), Kieren Perrow (AUS), Dayyan Neve (AUS), Bruce Irons (HAW), Mikael Picon (FRA), Dane Reynolds (USA), Taylor Knox (USA), Damien Hobgood (USA), Heitor Alves (BRA), Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Ben Dunn (AUS).