Mick Fanning. Photo: ASP/Kirstin
Surfer Mick Fanning, 31, came from behind in the final round of the Billabong Pro Tahiti to from countryman Joel Parkinson. “I held the lead in a 35-minute final until the four-minute mark,”
Parkinson said. “It’s frustrating to lose that way, but you cannot fault
Mick. He’s been a true champion through the event and has
proven that he’s one to watch out at Teahupo’o for sure.”
The victory keeps Fanning in first place on the ASP leaderboard halfway through the world tour. With five stops remaining, Fanning leads Parkinson, John John Florence, and Kelly Slater, in that order. “I made a final out here before, but to come away with the win is great
for my confidence and I’m in a good position heading into the next half
of the year,” Fanning said. “Early days though and there are a lot of guys right up
there. It’s still anyone’s game at this point.”
ESPN offered of the event, and said that the competitors' skill levels rose to another level thanks to the record swells that tested surfers in 2011:
After the ASP World Tour heavies survived (for the most part) the
death defying pits of a year ago, they came back this year with a new
confidence. It was another level from the first nutters to surf the
place. And today's final rounds set a new standard on just what can be
done when Teahupoo is just perfect.
Simply getting a tube, getting a big wrapping cutty and exiting
into the channel is simply no longer enough to win heats. Today it's all
about who can disappear for 10 seconds, who can not only ride the
barrel, but flirt with the foam ball, who can shove their butt or both
arms into the face and stay hidden, and actually surf on their rail
while under the lip. Call it Teahupoo 3.0.
Fanning won the ASP title in 2009 and 2007.
The next ASP event takes place at Trestles in San Clemente, California, and begins on September 16.
CURRENT ASP WCT TOP 5 (AFTER BILLABONG PRO TAHITI)
1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 34,750 pts
2. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 31,700 pts
3. John John Florence (HAW) 27,450 pts
4. Kelly Slater (USA) 25,450 pts
5. Taj Burrow (AUS) 24,950 pts
—Joe Spring