A thrilling Finals day at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, stop No. 3 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), saw Mick Fanning (AUS) and Carissa Moore (HAW) ring the Bell and claim victory at the historic event.
BELLS BEACH (VIC/Australia) – The day started with the Women’s competition where Moore came out on top at Bells Bowl. The competition then moved to Winkipop for the Men’s Semifinals and Finals where Fanning reigned supreme.
Mick Fanning (AUS), reigning three-time ASP World Champion today claimed his third Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach event title in an exciting back-and-forth battle over fellow tour veteran Taj Burrow (AUS). Both surfers posted excellent scores, using their contrasting styles to unload powerful cracks and carves, but both also made errors, falling off and missing some great waves. It was Fanning who capitalized when it counted by posting an 8.00 and an 8.83, Burrow held a heat high 9.63, but was let down by his second score 3.83. Fanning previously despatched Owen Wright (AUS) in the Quarterfinals and Julian Wilson (AUS) in the Semifinals.
“After that result (13th) in Margaret River I went home and worked really hard and I’m so pleased that the hard work paid off. Congratulations to Taj (Burrow), I’ve never been so nervous for nine minutes of my life, he surfed amazingly,” said Mick Fanning. “We got to surf everywhere at this event which was awesome, we got to surf the Bowl, Rincon and to finish at Winkipop. It’s always been my dream to surf a Heat at Winkipop. This is such a special event for me and I feel comfortable here. With the caliber of surfers on Tour at the moment there’s never an easy Heat and it keeps it so exciting.”
Carissa Moore (HAW), two-time ASP Women’s World Champion, today claimed her second consecutive Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach event title with a sensational performance. Moore dispatched Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) in the Semifinals and went on to take out 2013 ASP WCT runner-up Tyler Wright (AUS) in a rematch of the 2013 Final. Both competitors went blow-for-blow in the pumping conditions. It was a heroic fight from the young Australian, but it was Moore’s day with the reigning event winner showing off incredible commitment on every turn and carve. Moore’s win is her second of the 2014 WCT season and sees her retain her No. 1 spot in the ASP WCT rankings. Moore’s road to victory was a long one after she was forced to surf in every Round of the competition following defeats at the hands of Dimity Stoyle in Round 1 and Coco Ho in Round 3.
“I’m speechless right now,” Carissa Moore said. “That was an amazing Final! We were having such a blast, I just wanted to talk to Tyler (Wright) because the waves were so fun and it felt like we were having a fun free surf. I know she’s such an amazing surfer and will be in ASP World Title contention at the end of the year, so I knew I had to be at my best. It’s been a long Australian leg with three events in a row and it couldn’t have been much better for me, two wins and a quarterfinal and to finish by winning at Bells is so unique and special.”
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Final Results: Final: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.83 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.46
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Final Results: Final: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.23 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.77]]>
