Bet you weren't expecting that, eh? Know I wasn't. Slater goes down in Round 2 to a local wildcard registering his first 25th of the season. With that result he almost certainly hands the world title to Mick Fanning (if Mick gets third or better he wins at Portugal, if not the decider happens at Pipe).

It's another example of a local wildcard crueling a legitimate world title attempt. Think Gavin Gillette (who?), the little-known Pipe specialist who took out Parko a few years ago paving the way for Mick's second world title.

Back in the early-90s, when Tom Carroll was retiring from tour life but still surfing in the Pipe Masters, he was known for giving right of way to surfers vying for the tile. It was both a gentlemanly and selfless act; Carroll understood the world title as being far bigger than any one-off heat win or even competition win. And I reckon that's something ZoSea are gonna have to concede when they take over the reins next year. Saynora wilcards, I say.

For a full recap click here.

All photos ASP/Kirstin.