In accordance with the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), the 26-year-old regular-footer captured his first-ever world title after winning the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil and tallying up the victory with enough points to leave Taj Burrow (AUS) and Kelly Slater (USA) – the only other closest contenders for this year’s alpha dog status – in the lull and out to sea.
The Gold Coast Coolangata Kid made his ascent onto the Foster’s ASP World Tour back in 2002 after topping 2001 with a first place berth on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS). He climbed his way to 5th that first year on the WCT earning himself the highest rookie result at the time – but which now he shares with 2006 Rookie of the Year, Bobby Martinez (USA).
Since then, Fanning’s six-year professional career has had its ups and downs but due to his lightning speed, insane flexibility and high performance in the water (not to mention his brash and staggering party boy persona out of the water), he’s always been under the watchful eye of fellow surfers, fans and media alike who have always made Fanning one of the sport’s more popular players.
After the 5th place debut in 2002, Fanning continued the following years with a 4th place finish in 2003, a 7th in 2004, a 3rd place finish in 2005 and another 3rd in 2006 when he had been hovering in the #1 position for most of that year until Slater crushed that World Champ potential out of Fanning later in the season.
But ohhhh! One year later and how sweet it is! Fanning was in the line-up, preparing for his semifinal heat against childhood buddy Joel Parkinson (AUS) when Burrow was eliminated by Tom Whitaker (AUS) and Mick realized he was Numero Uno.
“I woke up this morning and I just had a good feeling that it was going to happen today,” Fanning said. “It was so amazing to be out there with Joel. When I realized I’d won I went, ‘What do we do Joel?’ and he was like, ‘I don’t know!’ I was just so stoked to share my first ever heat as the World Champion with him. It was amazing.”
Not to be deluded with his newly World Champ status, Mick went on to beat Joel 18.70 to 12.84 in Semifinal 1 before defending his Brazilian title by out-performing rookie Kai Otton (AUS) to smithereens and winning the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro. This victory would mark Fanning’s 9th Foster’s ASP World Tour win and would probably be one of his most memorable.
American Kelly Slater and Hawaiian Andy Irons have pretty much been conquering the World Title for the last five years but Fanning’s crown now makes him the first Australian to capture a men’s ASP World Title since fellow Aussie Mark Occhilupo did back in 1999.
Eight-time World Champ Slater had a reasonable chance at the title but lost to Otton in Round 4. “Part of me came here for Mick because I knew he had a really good shot at winning the title in Brazil,” Slater said. And after it was deemed that Fanning was the new ASP Champ as well as overall winner of the event, Slater proved yet again why he is such a great ambassador to the sport of surfing; by passing a trophy to Fanning and giving some emotional insight. “He was the only surfer who came to my party when I won last year. I have lots of respect for Mick and I admire him very much. I know he’ll be a great champion; he’s polite and gracious and I’m honestly happy that he’s the one getting this trophy.”
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