Florida's Kelly Slater is closing in on an unprecedented eighth world championship of surfing.

With only four events remaining on the 2006 World Championship Tour, Slater has already established a significant lead.

Through the first seven contests, Slater has 6,141 points. Australian Taj Burrow is No. 2 with 5,558, and Kaua'i's Andy Irons is No. 3 with 4,965.

If Irons is to get his fourth world championship, he would need Slater and Burrow to get eliminated in the early rounds of the upcoming events.

"I'm honestly not too worried about it (the rankings)," Slater said. "I've looked at the points already. I know what the points are and where we stand. Realistically, Taj (Burrow) and I aren't that far apart. One slip up by me, and Taj can jump right past me. If both of us slip up, we can let Andy (Irons) right back in the door."

Irons could make a move this weekend, based on his recent history.

The Quiksilver Pro France is scheduled to begin today at Hossegor, France. Irons is the three-time defending champion of the contest.

"France has proven to be Andy's event," Slater said. "Winning three years in a row ... for some reason, it's just a contest that suits him pretty well."

Slater won his record seventh world championship last year. No other male surfer has won more than four world titles.

SLATER WINS POLL, TOO

Kelly Slater was voted the top male surfer for the 12th time at the Surfer Poll Awards last week.

Kaua'i's Andy Irons was voted No. 2, and his younger brother Bruce Irons was No. 4. California's Rob Machado was No. 3.

The Surfer Magazine poll has been conducted every year since 1963, and is considered the most significant fan poll in the sport.

Sofia Mulanovich of Peru was voted the top female for the second consecutive year. Kaua'i's Rochelle Ballard was No. 4.

Big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara of O'ahu's North Shore won the award for "Worst Wipeout."

HAWAI'I SHOP GETS FIFTH

The Boardriders Club of Honolulu placed fifth in the Quiksilver Surf Shop Challenge National Championships last week at Oceanside, Calif.

Members of the Boardriders team were Brennan Boudreau, Dege O'Connell, Tory Titcomb and Nick Ventresca. Titcomb was the only female in the competition.

The Sunrise Surf Shop of Florida won the contest. Each team had to have two full-time employees from the shop and two surfers who are sponsored by the shop.