Quiksilver Pro France
Stop No. 7 of 10 on the 2007 Fosters ASP World Tour La Nord/Les Bourdaines: Hossegor/Seignosse, France September 20-30, 2007
LIVE on www.aspworldtour.com and www.quiksilverlive.com
SEIGNOSSE, France (Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007) Mick Fanning (AUS) the newly crowned 2007 Quiksilver Pro France Champion, is mathematically capable of clinching his maiden Fosters ASP World Title in Mundaka, Spain next week. Fanning beat South Africas Greg Emslie, in three to five foot (one to one half meter) surf at Les Bourdaines this afternoon.Im just so stoked to have another win under my belt, Fanning, who also won the first event of the year on the Gold Coast of Australia, said. Im pumped! After the semis I really realized that you had to have the best waves to win, so thats what I did. I just sat and waited for the whole time.
Fanning caught four waves to Emslies 12, but garnered his winning heat total of 18.43 (out of 20.00) with his first two rides the second of which he scored a near perfect 9.93 (out of 10) for.
That wave just sat up really, really nicely and I was able to get some good turns off, Fanning said. Im just stoked, thats about all I can say.
Fanning could clinch the title with a win in Spain should his closest threats, reigning World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) and Taj Burrow (AUS), not make it to the Semifinals. If he finishes 2nd in Spain, Slater and Burrow have to post a 5th place or better to keep their title aspirations alive.
Theres no pressure at all in Mundaka for the title, Fanning said. Im just doing what Ive been doing, taking it heat by heat. You cant win in the final if you dont win the first round, so yeah, youve just got to take it heat by heat.
Emslies final berth against Fannings was not only the best result of his eight-year elite-tour career, it was also the first Fosters ASP World Tour final a South African has made in 20 years. Emslie surfed amazingly through out the event, but was no match for the current World No. 1.
It was pretty tough out there, Emslie said. I could see that Mick was in a good rhythm and I just didnt know how I could break it. There werent too many set waves and the tide was coming in. When youve got an in form surfer like Mick getting the set waves, its hard to come back. Either way it was a fun final. Mick is ripping and I recon hes going to be world champ this year for sure.
Emslie, who sits 27th in the ratings after his 2nd place finish, beat current World No. 4 and defending Quiksilver Pro France Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) in the Semifinals.
I had a great event, I really enjoyed it, Emslie said. It was just great with all the different mix of waves this week that I managed to pull through to the final. Im pretty happy with the fact that I kept consistent throughout all the different waves.
Fanning beat fellow Australian Troy Brooks in the Semifinals. Brooks had the lead with six minutes to go, but Fanning scored an 8.00 and 9.67 in quick succession to leave Brooks needing a 9.18 he never found.
I finally got a few good ones out there, Brooks said. I sort of put the pressure on Mick, but thats why hes No. 1 I guess, because he came out of it and smashed me.
Previous to the last two events, Brooks had four 33rds and one 17th place finish. His Quarterfinal berth in California and equal 3rd this event have moved him to 28th in the ratings. The Top 27 guys on the World Tour automatically requalify at the end of the year.
It doesnt really guarantee my requalification for next year, Brooks said. This just moves me on the borderline. At this moment I shouldnt be in this spot as it is, but with this little roll, as long as I keep going, I should be alright. Hopefully I do well in Mundaka next week and then in Brazil since Ive always gotten a result there. Hawaii has a bit of juice which Im used to coming up from Bells. So who knows.
The next Fosters ASP World Tour event, Stop. 8 of 10 on this years tour, begins in Mundaka, Spain on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007.
Quiksilver Pro France Final Results:
Final: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.43 def. Greg Emslie (ZAF) 11.63
Quiksilver Pro France Semifinal Results:
Heat 1: Greg Emslie (ZAF) 17.43 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.97 Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 17.67 def. Troy Brooks (AUS) 15.40
Fosters ASP World Tour Ratings after Event No. 7 of 10, the Quiksilver Pro France:
1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 6470 points
2. Kelly Slater (USA) 5450 points
3. Taj Burrow (AUS) 5243 points
4. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 4905 points
5. Andy Irons (HAW) 4741 points
6. Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 4062 points
7. Damien Hobgood (USA) 4049 points
8. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 3692 points
9. Dean Morrison (AUS) 3658 points
10. Taylor Knox (USA) 3392 points