MIRACLE FOR MICK
EPIC ENDING LOOMS
A SET of extraordinary circumstances – and waves – could deliver retiring triple world champion Mick Fanning the most perfect farewell present ever - finishing his career as the No.1 ranked surfer on the planet.
On another day of drama and upsets at the Ripe Curl Pro World Tour event at Bells Beach, Fanning yesterday surfed his way into the fourth round of the event he won as a teenager 17 years ago.
With this joy ride came the hope that Fanning could indeed pull off a fairytale finish to his stellar career by ringing the winners bell for a record fifth time.
“It would be a great party, heh,’’ Fanning laughed when asked about the prospect of history being written.
With this hope emerged the slim change Fanning could also nab the world No.1 ranking at his farewell event after 16 years of touring.
But first, he needs to take down one of his best mates and a man he has dubbed, along with Julian Wilson and Owen Wright, as the most likely surfers to be Australia’s next world champions.
“To surf against Mick one last time is an absolute honour,’’ said former Bells winner and goofy Matt Wilkinson, the Australian’s opponent in round four along with American Patrick Gudauskas.
It was Gudauskas who yesterday spoiled the prospect of Fanning surfing against two contenders to be the next Australian world champion, with injured world No.1 Julian Wilson knocked out of the competition.
Gone are four of the eight men ranked higher than Fanning, creating the possibility of him ending his career as surfing’s top dog.
Fanning yesterday defeated dangerous American Sebastian Zietz to keep alive the dream of a winning finish.
“It’s hard getting old. Not as fit as I used to be. It’s hard work,’’ Fanning said after racing up the steep stairs at Bells following his heat.
“The waves come all the way through, you try to put so much into it. It takes a lot out of your legs, you’re sucking in the breaths and then you’ve got to paddle back.
“It’s hard work but, hey, that’s what we’re here for.”
Other Australians in the running to snare the No.1 ranking with success at Bells include Ace Buchan and Owen Wright.
Nikki Van Dijk and Steph Gilmore have the same opportunity in the women’s title race with the pair the only Aussies in the quarter-finals.