Kelly Slater: “I have Olympic qualification in mind”
The American said that while it is very likely that he will retire at the end of the year, this could change if he gets into Tokyo 2020
“I have Olympic qualification in mind,” said the best surfer in history, Kelly Slater, to a New Zealand media outlet on Sunday. The 11-time champion was invited to participate in a golf tournament and the local press took the opportunity to ask questions.
"There is a chance that I might retire at the end of the year, at least from full-time competition, but if I feel or look like I'm going to make it to the Olympics I will surely continue competing next year," told the NZ Herald.
To qualify for Tokyo 2020, Slater will need to be one of the top two Americans in the 2019 CT rankings. At 47, Slater has wavered on retirement a few times, but his announcement last year struck a pretty clear tone.
However, he told the Kiwi media: “(I will make the decision) when the day comes. I am not sure (what it will be).”
Slater had not been to New Zealand since 1993. The outlet reported that he had been looking at properties in the country's countryside with interest.
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Related Notes:
Kelly Slater announced that she will retire next year
“My plan is to prepare well and for next year to be my last on the circuit,” she said on the WSL live broadcast.
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“I will return when I consider the time is right,” he wrote, explaining that competing would not be the most responsible decision.
Slater at 14 years old
Shorty and boots, stealing waves, paddling ahead of the others and breaking, of course.
