Photo: CESTARI / ASP / Getty Images
Burrow in form early this morning before conditions
deteriorated

Taj Burrow has claimed the 2009 Billabong Pipe Masters, defeating fellow Finalist Kelly Slater, in clean three-to-five foot waves at the Banzai Pipeline.

The final event of the 2009 ASP World Tour season, the Billabong Pipe Masters culminated the Vans Triple Crown, and provided non-stop, high-caliber action from the outset.
Always a solid crowd on hand for the Billabong Pipe
Masters
Burrow wasted little time in putting Slater on the ropes in the 35-minute Final, racking up a 7.00 out of a possible 10 on his opening ride for an electric air reverse followed by some solid forehand maneuvers. With deteriorating conditions, Burrow stayed busy before collecting a 5.83 for an incredible full-rotation alley-oop, putting the pressure on Slater as time ran out.

"There were perfect backdoor waves this whole event and then for the Final it went onshore," Burrow said. "It was strictly turns. It was all about turns and hopefully doing a few airs and I dropped down to my shortboard and my plan was to just to let loose. It was tough because I knew Kelly (Slater) could do anything."

Today's victory mark s Burrow s first ASP World Tour win since 2007 and his first-ever win at the infamous Banzai Pipeline.

"This win feels about as good as you could imagine," Burrow said. "For me, winning this contest is the next best thing to winning a World Title. This is the best victory of my career."

Burrow, who has long been considered a legitimate ASP World Title contender, is thrilled with his finish to the 2009 season looks forward to 2010 with renewed vigor and hunger to hunt down the ever-elusive ASP crown.

Slater looked near unbeatable throughout the Billabong Pipe Masters, deftly maneuvering his 5'11" craft through one incredible tube after another before running into Burrow in the Finals. While his opponent stayed busy throughout the bout, Slater waited patiently for scoring opportunities that never manifested.

"Unfortunately the Final had the absolute worst conditions of the contest, but there are still fun waves out there," Slater said. "You could go out for a free surf and have a good time. Still, there's a shallow reef there, so you're expecting one to throw out and barrel, but it just didn't happen."

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, was in the running for the 2009 ASP World Title before bowing out of the Billabong Pipe Masters in Round 3 of competition. Although Gold Coast stable mate Mick Fanning claimed the 2009 ASP World Title, Parkinson s efforts throughout the Vans Triple Crown (an ASP Specialty Series) saw the talented natural-footer awarded with his second consecutive Vans Triple Crown Title as well as a bonus $50,000 from the Vans Triple Threat prize pool.

Highlights from the Billabong Pipe Masters can be found on www.billabongpro.com and www.triplecrownofsurfing.com

BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS FINAL RESULTS:
1 Taj Burrow (AUS) 12.83
2 Kelly Slater (USA) 7.10

BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.17 def. Dean Morrison (AUS) 7.00
SF 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.50 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 11.67

BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Dean Morrison (AUS) 11.00 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 10.17
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.24 def. Flynn Novak (HAW) 13.87
QF 3: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.90 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.40
QF 4: Dane Reynolds (USA) 15.10 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 8.67

VANS TRIPLE CROWN TRIPLE THREAT AWARDS:
2009 ASP World Champion: Mick Fanning (AUS) awarded bonus $50,000
2009 Vans Triple Crown Champion: Joel Parkinson (AUS) awarded bonus $50,000
2009 Billabong Pipe Masters Champion: Taj Burrow (AUS) awarded bonus $50,000

VANS TRIPLE CROWN FINAL TOP 3 (Men s):
1 Joel Parkinson (AUS) 6694 points
2 C.J. Hobgood (USA) 6213 points
3 Torrey Meister (HAW) 5775 points