Fanning wins the ASP World Title

Mick Fanning of Australia won the ASP World Title as he was waiting in the water for a semifinal heat against his friend Joel Parkinson, also an Aussie. When Tom Whitaker (AUS) eliminated Taj Burrow (AUS), Fanning realized that his dream had come true. This win is Fanning’s 9th Foster’s ASP World Tour event. Fanning had just won the Hang Loose Santa Caterina Pro in Brazil. He surfed a signature heat against Parkinson, beating him 18.70 to 12.84 in Semifinal 1, he then defended his Brazilian title by beating rookie Kai Otton (AUS) in the final to pull off the win in the Hang Loose Santa Caterina Pro. Americans Kelly Slater and Andy Irons have dominated the World Tour over the last five years, but Fanning’s big win makes him the first Aussie to clench the men’s ASP World Title since Mark “Occy” Occhilupo did so in 1999 in Brazil. Fanning was raised by a single mother who now manages his career. And while this win was big for him, Fanning attributes his achievement to the memory of his best friend and brother, which he kept with him out in the water throughout the competition, making him push harder and harder for the win. Sean, Fanning’s older brother, was also a gifted surfer and died in a car accident as a teenager. The two of them were very close. Fanning first appeared on the ASP World Tour scene in 2002, after finishing No. 1 in the ASP World Qualifying Series the prior year. In his debut year, he finished in an impressive 5th place, earning the highest rookie result of all time. In 2006, Rookie of the Year, Bobbie Martinez (USA), forced Fanning to share the high honor. After winning 5th in 2002, Fanning’s gradual ascent to the No. 1 position has been ever present (No. 4 in 2003, No. 3 in 2005 and 2006, and No. 1 in 2007). We’ll see what Fanning has in store for 2008. For more details on ASP World Tour rankings, visit www.aspworldtour.com

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