|
Australian Mick Fanning clinched his maiden Foster’s ASP World Title after winning the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil.
Fanning was in the water about to surf a semifinal heat against childhood friend Joel Parkinson (AUS) when Taj Burrow (AUS) was eliminated by Tom Whitaker (AUS) and his lifelong dream was realized. “I woke up this morning and I just had a good feeling that it was going to happen today,” Fanning said. “It was so amazing to be out there with Joel. When I realized I’d won I went, ‘What do we do Joel?’ and he was like, ‘I don’t know!’ I was just so stoked to share my first ever heat as the World Champion with him. It was amazing.”
Fanning surfed a signature heat to beat Parkinson 18.70 to 12.84 in Semifinal 1 before defending his Brazilian title by beating rookie Kai Otton (AUS) in the final to win the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro. The win marks his 9th Foster’s ASP World Tour event win. Americans Kelly Slater and Andy Irons have monopolized the World Title for the last five years but Fanning’s win today makes him the first Australian to clinch a men’s ASP World Title since Mark ‘Occy' Occhilupo did so in Brazil in 1999.
“To take the reins over from Oc is incredible,” Fanning said. “He is pretty much the legend of the sport. He’s such a character and such a cool guy. Even when I’ve been on tour with Andy (Irons), he’s such a determined guy as well and I was there for his first world title. And then there’s Kelly – the guy who gave inspiration to every kid who surfs today, he’s amazing.”
Eight-time World Champion Slater also had a longshot at the title before losing to Otton in Round 4. “Part of me came here for Mick because I knew he had a really good shot at winning the title in Brazil,” Slater said. “But I thought, if I’m going to show up, I’m going to give it my best shot. I had priority with 10 or 11 minutes to go and a left came and I thought there was a better one behind it so I let him go and it really sealed the deal right there. I got KOd, Kai Otton-ed."
Occhilupo arrived on the scene to congratulate Fanning after hearing the news. “I get goosebumps just thinking about it,” Occhilupo said. “Yesterday I wanted to go home, but when Mick won the title today I was straight in my car and then jumping over every single heat to give him a cuddle. It’s been eight years and we’ve got it back to Australia. I don’t want to say too much, but I think it might stay there a long time.”
FOR THE FULL STORY AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN A SIGNED MICK FANNING BOARD AND RECEIVE A FREE RIP CURL POSTER BUY JAN/DEC WAVELENGTH ON SALE NOV 23.
Foster’s ASP World Tour Ratings after Event No. 9 of 10, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro:
1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 8136 points
2. Taj Burrow (AUS) 6782 points
3. Kelly Slater (USA) 6516 points
4. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 6156 points
5. Andy Irons (HAW) 4966 points
6. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 4799 points
7. Bobby Martinez (USA) 4582 points
8. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 4580 points
9. Kai Otton (AUS) 4378 points
10. Taylor Knox (USA) 4309 points
|
