Slater Advances in Brazil, Closes In on Surf Tour Title

Kelly Slater moved a step closer to clinching the Assn. of Surfing Professionals’ world tour title Thursday by winning his second-round heat at the $120,000 Alternativa Pro at Rio de Janeiro.

Slater, a Cocoa Beach, Fla., native now living in Huntington Beach, defeated Brazil’s Sergio Noronha, 16.5-11.5, to advance to today’s third round. Slater needs two more heat victories to clinch the world title.

Others advancing to the third round were San Clemente’s Dino Andino, Laguna Beach’s Jeff Booth, Santa Barbara’s Tom Curren and Marty Thomas, a Seal Beach native.