Slater desiste do Quik Pro e February fica com a vaga

Após dar W.O. em sua bateria inaugural no CT 2018, Kelly Slater anunciou sua desistência do Quiksilver Pro. O recordista de títulos mundiais ainda sofre com uma lesão no pé sofrida durante a etapa de Jeffreys Bay do ano passado, e afirmou que desta vez vai tratá-la até a total recuperação, em vez de precipitar um retorno aos campeonatos.

A vaga de Slater foi cedida ao sul-africano Michael February, primeiro alternate da lista atual e último rookie a ingressar no circuito neste ano. February herdará a vaga de Mick Fanning após a etapa de Bells Beach, quando o aussie se aposentará.

A notícia é ótima para February, que ganha a chance de conquistar um resultado na primeira etapa do ano, em vez de iniciar o tour em Margaret River já com dois descartes. Sua missão não será nada fácil. Ele foi escalado para a terceira bateria do round 2, contra Matt Wilkinson, que vem de duas finais consecutivas em Snapper – campeão em 2016 e vice em 2017.

Imagem de capa: Michael February durante os trials do Quik Pro. Ele perdeu na semi no campeonato vencido por Leo Fioravanti (Ed Sloane/WSL)

I have officially withdrawn from the #QuikProGoldCoast. For many months, my gut feeling has been to use this injury as a platform to overhaul and reset my mind and body. The looming excitement about a new year starting, my foot sort of magically allowing me to surf the past couple of days, and a number of other factors had me talking myself back into jumping in as soon as possible against my better judgment. I feel I’ve had a couple of half hearted attempts these past couple of years fighting injury and desire. The foot injury symbolizes a lot at this point in my career both as an ending and as a beginning. Hearing @mfanno talk about his reasons for retiring at the upcoming Bells event yesterday rang true for me also around going in the direction of doing things that make you uncomfortable. Competing is a natural environment for us both and it’s the easy route for me. I think it best that I properly rehabilitate the injury and choose to surf wholeheartedly, not from the excitement or stress of a last minute arrival. It’s not very professional or responsible and it won’t allow me to be at my best potential. I really love the energy around the events, especially a new year, and I find myself at odds especially with a potential Kirra swell approaching. I wish the best for everyone this event and a special good luck to @mikeyfebruary who will surf in my absence. Let him know if he wins I’m requesting a 10% caddy fee!???‍♂️ Thanks to the WSL and crew for helping accommodate my predicament and I’ll be back when the time is right for me.✌? #Repost @wsl with @get_repost ・・・ 11x World Champion @kellyslater​ at Snapper Rocks ? #QuiksilverPro #GoldCoast | March 11 – 22 @quiksilver

Uma publicação compartilhada por Kelly Slater (@kellyslater) em 11 de Mar, 2018 às 3:47 PDT

Pretty happy to say that I’ll be competing in the #quikpro when it gets called on again. I’ll be replacing @kellyslater due to his foot injury. Obviously it’s unfortunate but I really appreciate the spot in the first event of the year and wish him a speedy recovery ! Vid : @stacegalbraith

Uma publicação compartilhada por Michael February (@mikeyfebruary) em 12 de Mar, 2018 às 4:28 PDT