Fanning’s fired up for tour comeback
MICK Fanning says a fire has started within as he prepares to make his anticipated return to the World Surf League’s Championship Tour.
The waiting period for the third stop of the tour, the Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic, will begin on Friday.
It will be the first time in more than two decades that men’s and women’s world title points will be earned on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
Joining the international CT field will be three-time world champion Fanning, injury replacement Reef Heazlewood, as well as local
wildcards Laura Enever and Dyan Moffat.
Fanning has been awarded the event wildcard, marking his first CT event since retiring in 2018.
This year also celebrates 20 years since Fanning won his first tour event, also as a wildcard, at the 2001 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
“I am excited to be back in a jersey,” Fanning said.
“I haven’t really had a challenge in the last few years. I injured my knee in 2019 and then have been working towards getting a level of fitness and level of surfing that I was happy with. I’ve been training and working
to get my knee back to 100 per cent.
“I feel like I am getting there. I’ve been working pretty hard in the last few months just personally, and then having this goal to be ready for this event has definitely kickstarted a bit of fire in there.”
Prior to his retirement, Fanning spent 17 years competing on the elite tour.
His illustrious tenure includes 22 championship tour victories and three world titles, cementing him as one of the greatest surfers and sportsmen in history.
Fanning will be against reigning WSL champion Brazilian Italo Ferreira and Australian
CT rookie Cibilic in round one.
Ferreira, fresh off of a firstplace finish, and Cibilic, with a career-best third place, will bring their Newcastle momentum when they come up against the surfing icon.
The Sunshine Coast’s Reef Heazlewood has been awarded wildcard entry as the WSL Event Replacement.
This will be the third CT start for the Moffat Beach local, and an opportunity to once again showcase his skills on the elite stage.
Heazlewood will aim to repeat his standout performance from the 2019 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast when he eliminated
Morgan fellow Sunshine Coaster Julian Wilson from the event.
Heazlewood will face CT veterans Jordy Smith and Adrian Buchan in heat four.
“I’m so excited to receive a spot in the draw,” Heazlewood said.
“There’s so much history at Narrabeen so it’s so cool to be able to participate now there is an event back.
“There are definitely a few locations I’d love to compete at and Narrabeen is at the top of that list. I’m really hoping for some big running lefts with barrels or ramps. I really hope that I can put on a show when I get out there.”