Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, has claimed the 2012 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Ranger over reigning 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 40, in offshore three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves at Bells Beach.
Event No. 2 of 10 on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach culminated in dramatic fashion with pundits calling it the “best Final in event history.”
The Australian and American went blow for blow throughout the 35-minute bout, exchanging massive scores and the lead several times before the dust settled.
“I’m so pumped,” Fanning said. “Kelly (Slater) did that Hail Mary for the 10 and I thought, ‘oh, here we go.’ I just caught waves and I’m stoked it all paid off. I’m really at a loss for words and I’m just pumped. It doesn’t get any sweeter. The crowd’s been amazing with the whole amphitheater and the history that comes with it. I always picture this event and have had some seconds over the years, so to get this one, I’m so pumped.”
The win marked Fanning’s 14th elite tour win and his first Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach win since 2001. It also brings the Australian’s record with Slater closer to even at 7 to Kelly’s 8 in their heat matchup history.
The guys shared the Southern Ocean swells with the ASP Women’s World Tour's best 17 surfers, with Australia's Sally Fitzgibbons taking out the Rip Curl Women's Pro.
