Mick won’t have things his own way
WORLD champion John John Florence says he is not out to deliberately spoil Mick Fanning’s farewell party at this week’s Quiksilver Pro seasonopener on the Gold Coast.
But neither is the Hawaiian about to give Fanning a clear run to the bar.
Local hero Fanning, a former three-time world champi- on, is competing in his final Quiksilver Pro after announcing his retirement earlier this month. The Quiksilver Pro will be his second-last event before hanging up the competition vest following the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach at Easter.
Florence, who last year won his second successive world title, admitted Fanning would be tough to beat in his swan song appearance at his home break, Snapper Rocks.
“I’d assume Mick’s going to be really hard to beat this year because he’s got no pressure and it’s his last event (on the Gold Coast) and he’s just going to go out there and surf,” he said. “He’s at his home break so it’s a little bit scary. I’m not going to be out to try and spoil it (Fanning’s farewell) but if we come up against each other, I’m going to try my hardest.”
Florence has signalled he means business as he tries to match Fanning’s three world titles and try to become the most successful Hawaiian surfer since the late triple world champion, Andy Irons.
He came to the Gold Coast last month to surf a perfect swell in what he said was a deliberate strategy to prepare early for his world title defence.