Page 22 - AT

A22 SPORTS
Wednesday 26 February 2020
Slater to build world's largest man-made wave in the desert

By JOHN MARSHALL will be a stand alone de-
AP Sports Writer sign that nowhere else in
Kelly Slater is planning to the world has. This can
build the world's largest become the blueprint for
man-made wave in the new developments around
desert. waves and surf parks going
Plans for Coral Mountain, forward and is in line with
announced on Tuesday, some of my original ideas
feature the largest ride- from when we started this
able open-barrel human- project. I can't wait to get
made wave in the world underway."
with technology from Kelly The wave basin will be part
Slater Wave Company, a of a 400-acre site in La
division of the World Surf Quinta, California, set at
League. the base of Coral Moun-
The 11-time world cham- tain. The masterplanned
pion surfer is teaming with community in the Coachel-
private real estate invest- la Valley will include a full-
ment and development service resort, residential
firm Meriwether Compa- homes, a private club, mul-
nies and Big Sky Wave De- tiple dining venues and ad-
velopments, founded by venture sport offerings.
Michael B. Schwab, son of The $200 million complex
brokerage pioneer Charles will have a 150-room ho-
Schwab. In this Oct. 9, 2019, file photo, surfer Kelly Slater is surrounded by fans after he leaves his footprint tel and up to 600 homes in
Construction is expected to cement slab at Anglet Surf Avenue, in Anglet, southwestern France. the $1 million to $5 million
begin in early 2021 with the Associated Press range. Access to ameni-
opening slated sometime new proposal maintains ect because it allows us to running the project," Slater ties will be exclusively avail-
in 2022, pending design the same density and will further build on our tech- said in a statement. "We're able to homeowners, ho-
and amended approval. require less water than the nology and also because excited to make another tel guests, members and
The land was previously ap- previously approved golf one of our founding part- KSWaveCo design and their guests. Dining will be
proved for 750 homes and course. ners, Michael Schwab, I'm personally excited to open to the public through
an 18-hole golf course. The "We chose to do this proj- is heading up the group create a new wave that reservations.q

Alonso "It gives them a chance to

watch a world-class pro-
Continued from Page 18 making a one-off appear- fessional," Brown said.
ance in "The Greatest Alonso said the McLaren
"I am a racer and the Indy Spectacle in Racing." partnership with Arrow
500 is the greatest race in Nothing went right from Schmidt has strengthened
the world," Alonso said. "I the beginning. The team that team.
have maximum respect struggled to obtain a "I am impressed with how
for this race and everyone steering wheel in time for the new organization and
who competes in it and all testing. Its track time at the operation is developing
I want to do is race against first test was cut short be- into a strong package with
them and give my best, as cause the paint scheme the Chevrolet partnership,"
always." on the car was not the Alonso said. "The team has
Alonso's quest is to win In- proper McLaren "papaya experienced, well-quali-
dianapolis and complete orange" and the team did fied people and great re-
a prestigious Triple Crown not want it photographed In this April 24, 2019, file photo, IndyCar driver Fernando sources, and I'm confident
Alonso, of Spain, drives out of the pit area during testing at the
that includes Formula in the wrong shade. Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. we can be competitive."
One's Monaco Grand On the final morning of Associated Press In addition to his two F1
Prix and the 24 Hours of qualifying, wholesale titles, Alonso has won the
Le Mans sports car endur- changes were made to past criticism of its power After dropping Hinchcliffe, World Endurance Champi-
ance race. Graham Hill the car in a frantic effort to plants. The Andretti ride the new McLaren team onship, has twice won the
is the only driver to have get Alonso into the race. instead went to James instead hired Indy Lights 24 Hours of Le Mans and
completed the triple. But a team member incor- Hinchcliffe, who had champion Oliver Askew won the Rolex 24 at Dayto-
Juan Pablo Montoya (Indy rectly converted settings spent five years driving for and Pato O'Ward, who will na. He ran the Dakar Rally
and Monaco) and Alonso when switching the num- Schmidt but was dumped form the youngest IndyCar in January but his team did
are the only active drivers bers from the metric to im- by the team when McLar- lineup in history. Askew, an not win and Alonso was in-
to have won two of the perial system and the car en came aboard. American, is 23. O'Ward, volved in a rollover during
three legs. Alonso came bottomed out as Alonso "It was important for me to a Mexican, will turn 21 in the 10th stage.
up short in 2017 driving for attempted a lap. explore my options for this May. He said he has turned at-
Andretti Autosport when A return to the 500 this year race but Arrow McLaren The 38-year-old Alonso will tention to preparing for
his Honda engine failed 21 for Alonso was expected SP has always been at the be in a third car alongside Indy.
laps from the finish. He had to be with Andretti again, top," Alonso said. "I have a Askew and O'Ward at- "I'm focused and excited,"
led 27 laps. but that deal was rejected special place with McLar- tempting to make the field he said. "It will also be great
The Spaniard returned last by Honda because of a en, we've been through a of 33 for the May 24 race. to work with Oliver and
year for another attempt fallout between the en- lot together and that cre- Brown said Alonso's star Pato, two fantastic young
with McLaren, which was gine manufacturer, the ates a bond, a loyalty that status would not swallow talents for the future who
running as a one-car team driver and McLaren over is strong." the rookies. are growing all the time."q