2006 Billabong Pro Mundaka

ROOKIE BOBBY MARTINEZ WINS BILLABONG PRO MUNDAKA
Kelly Slater Wins Eighth World Title

MUNDAKA, Basque Country, Northern Spain (Friday, October 13, 2006) – After an incredibly strong performance in one metre (three foot) waves at the famed break of Mundaka, Bobby Martinez (USA) has won the Billabong Pro ahead of newly crowned eight-time world champion Kelly Slater (USA).

Despite conditions not being brilliant, the entertainment and drama during the day was at a paramount as alongside Martinez’s stellar win, the contenders for the Foster’s ASP Men’s World Tour title were eliminated one by one in order for Slater to claim the crown.

Martinez however was in no way intimidated by Slater’s dominance of this year’s tour and powered home with a feverish small-wave attack to claim his second tour event of the year.

Getting down to work from the outset of the final, Martinez set about racking up his wave count.

His best wave came when he pumped out no less than 12 to 15 forehand snaps over a 100 metre distance which earned him a score of 8.83 out of 10 – his total score was 16.40 out of 20 to Slater’s 14.27.

“I don’t know what to say, it’s been an amazing year for me,” said a beaming Martinez. “This year I came in just happy to be here after struggling on the World Qualifying Series for so long. I just wanted to give it my all at every contest and just try and requalify and to win two events… it’s just crazy for me. I never got ahead of myself thinking I’m going to win this event. I just can’t believe it!”