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Kelly Slater took numerous wipeouts on the way to the final in a desperate bid to pull into barrels left and right over some of the most notorious reef in the world in order to impress the judges.

He beat guys half his age, and was fuelled by a dispropionate fire in his belly, for his age, you understand ... or maybe not. They say life begins at 40, and he looks hungrier than ever. It's almost scary.

Despite having all those world titles and contest victories behind him, the man still seems insatiable for more ... and more applause. It seems nothing can stop him. Although Ace Buchan did, but only at the last hurdle.

Slater has a small lead over second-placed Mick Fanning now, but the two of them are moving away from the rest of the pack and it’s starting to look like it might turn into a two-horse race.

Slater is on 38,950 points and Fanning has 37,900 points but third-placed Joel Parko sits on 30,700, and Jordy hasn’t event got 30,000 points, sitting as he is on 29,200.

Travis Logie had to endure an early exit, and now parks off at number 22 on the world tour rankings.

The waves were a far cry from anything Code Red, with nothing breaking bigger than six foot on the famous reef, but the waves were world class by anyone’s average standards.

There were a couple of 10-point rides and the best surfers in the world were charging. Also, the contest was run in four  days, which is pretty cool from a spectators’ point of view. Talk about packing in the action. Shorter than most cricket Test matches.

But the fat lady is still far from singing. She hasn’t even walked on stage yet. Trestles is up next for the Hurley Pro. Jordy loves Trestles. He has done well there in the past.

Trestles is known as the skatepark of the world tour. The waves throw ramps and air sections all over the show. Jordy could do well with his new school air moves. As of now, Jordy is cruising at number four and a big result will get him back into contention for that World Title he wants so much.

With four events to go – Trestles, France, Portugal and Hawaii – it’s still anyone’s game.