It’s been a bitter-sweet day for pro-surfer Kelly Slater who’s won his record 11th world surfing title on the anniversary of the death of his close friend Andy Irons.

Michele Harris reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Going into the third heat at Ocean Beach in San Francisco, Kelly Slater was trailing Australian Dan Ross.

But the world champion dug deep and made surfing history, clinching his first world title in mainland America, at the tour’s penultimate event of the year.

Today’s win makes Slater both the youngest, at 20, and the oldest, at 39, to win the world title.

Kelly Slater, Surfing Champion: “And what’s the chances I’d do this on the anniversary of, unfortunately, Andy passing away. It’s, in a way, it makes it a lot more special for me.”

Another sporting legend hopes to make headlines tomorrow.

Swimming champion Ian Thorpe is preparing his competitive comeback after a five-year retirement.

He’ll be competing at the World Cup Short Course swimming championships in Singapore.

But don’t expect to see him race over the longer distances.

Thorpe plans to compete in just the 100-metre individual medley and the 100-meter butterfly.

And in League news, Australia’s Billy Slater has won his second International player of the year award in London overnight.

Australians swept the awards.

Slater, who plays for the Melbourne Storm, also won this year’s Dally M medal.

Michele Harris, QUT News.