COCONUT GUMBO

Florida's Domination Of Fiji Continues

Kelly wins his 37th event and is now 1000 points ahead of his nearest rival ...

Considering he hadn't lost a heat to a fellow tour surfer before this event and is on one of the greatest athletic rolls of his career, this is not the most shocking turn of events to come out of today's final in Fiji.

Something else entirely has finally bubbled to the surface today -- What the hell is going on with the Floridians and their almost total domination of this event since its inception?

An Australian hasn't won in Fiji since 2002, it has only ever been won once by a Hawaiian, a Californian has never been victorious on Tavarua, and neither has a European or Brasilian.

Yet when the Sunshine Staters turn up at this place things just gel, it was the story today when Kelly and CJ met in the final, and has been the story since 2000.

Check this impressive pile of stats

2000: 2nd, CJ Hobgood; 3rd Cory Lopez

2001: (event cancelled)

2002: 2nd Shea Lopez; 3rd Cory Lopez, 3rd CJ Hobgood

2003: 2nd Cory Lopez

2004: 1st Damien Hobgood; 3rd CJ Hobgood

2005: 1st Kelly Slater; 2nd CJ Hobgood

2006: 1st Damien Hobgood; 3rd CJ Hobgood

2007: (event cancelled)

2008: 1st Kelly Slater; 2nd CJ Hobgood