Attack still raw memory as Fanning eyes crown
HE’S hoping for a fairytale finish to a year of extraordinary drama but Mick Fanning admits some days are still a struggle.
The world No.1 has revealed he has “good and bad days” in the wake of his shocking shark attack in South Africa and is reminded daily how lucky he was to escape the horrific ordeal with barely a physical scratch.
Fanning is in Hawaii ahead of the final event of the year – the Billabong Pipe Masters – where he and five of his rivals have a chance of securing the world crown of surfing. While adamant he needs a positive attitude to surf well and live life, Fanning has admitted memories of the attack during the final of the J-Bay Open can overwhelm him at times.
“I still have my ups and downs. My good days and my bad days,’’ Fanning said.
“Sometimes you just want to let it all go and be emotional. But you get back up and keep going. You don’t want a situation to determine how you feel about everything.”
But whether he wants to think about it or not, Fanning said the attack is something bought up daily by people he knows and complete strangers.
“It gets bought up every day. It’s not like I can forget it,’’ he said.
“So many people are intrigued by it. They saw it live on TV. They remember where they were at the time. It is one of those moments for people.’’
Fanning is hoping to create a more positive moment by equalling Mark Richards’ Australian record of winning four world surf crowns at the Billabong Pipe Masters which could kick off as early as
today.
But to guarantee his crown Fanning must win an event he has never claimed before.
“I know that if I get my body and my mind right it is then up to the waves,’’ he said. “But I’m fired up for this.’’
Australians Julian Wilson, the defending Pipe Masters champion, and Owen Wright can still win this year’s crown as can Brazilians Filipe Toledo. Gabriel Medina and Adriano de Souza.