About a year ago, the craziest thing that’s ever happened in professional surfing happened at J-Bay. While the world watched, Mick Fanning battled off a great white shark. It propelled our little sport to heights never-before reached, at least in the eyes of non-surfers. And now, Mick Fanning came back to J-Bay, fought his way through, and come out on top of the podium.
Although Mick Fanning nearly missed competing in the event due to a high-ankle sprain, he came back stronger than ever. Despite conditions that left a lot to be desired, Fanning smashed his way through the early heats, working his way towards the final. During the semis, he ran into Julian Wilson, who, as everyone knows, was in the water at the time of the shark attack last year. “Having a semi with Julian was really special,” Fanning said. “He’s a great guy, and one of those who really has your back. It’s nice to have friends like that.”
When Fanning found himself in the finals, he faced off against John John Florence. JJF’s second place finish puts him well within reach of the World Title everyone expects him to one day win. Mick, though, had a bone to pick with J-Bay. It was clear early in the final that Mick wasn’t going down without a fight. In the first minute, he found a small, perfect wave to start things off.
Although the smaller waves catered to a more futuristic approach (one which John John Florence used), Mick Fanning held out for the old guard, using his rail game to win the event. His second wave of the event garnered a 9.93, the highest score of the contest.
Mick’s return to J-Bay is something from a fairy tale. In a year where Mick Fanning is picking and choosing which events he’s entering into, a win at J-Bay must feel like a fourth world title.
