Although there are still two events on the current ASP World Championship Tour, the upcoming Rip Curl Pro at Peniche, Portugal could decide who becomes the surfing world champion in the men’s division. Only Australia’s Mick Fanning can lock up his chance to become champ in Portugal. If not, the ASP surfing world champion will be decided at the final event at Banzai Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii.
Fanning recently bested 11-time surfing world champion Kelly Slater at the Quicksilver Pro France, taking a 6,000-point lead on the American. He may very well be on his way to his 3rd world title.
Mick Fanning at the 2010 Hurley Pro. Pic: Rian Castillo (Flickr CC)
From surf2surf.com:
Heading into Portugal, there remain five contenders for the 2013 ASP World Title: Mick Fanning (AUS), 32, Kelly Slater (USA), 41, Jordy Smith (ZAF), 25, Taj Burrow (AUS), 35, and Joel Parkinson (AUS), 32.
Only Fanning can clinch the crown in Portugal.
If Fanning wins the event:– Slater will need a 3rd or better to take the title decision to Hawaii.
– Smith, Burrow and Parkinson will be out of the race.
Meanwhile in the women’s division, the ASP surfing world champion has already been decided at Guincho beach in Cascais, Portugal. Hawaii’s Carissa Moore won gold on the final day of competition of the EDP Cascais Girls Pro on October 5th.
New women’s surfing world champion Moore is quoted in a report on the ASP website:
I can’t really speak right now because I’m so happy. I woke up this morning listening to music and I started crying because I really felt like today was my day. I’ve been supported so much by my Dad and boyfriend and sister and all my family and friends. This is really special for me because I get to share it with all of them.
–Carissa Moore
Portugal’s awesome waves are becoming more and more instrumental in the world of surfing as at least one (and perhaps two) surfing world champions will attest.
New women’s surfing world champion Carissa Moore at the 2013 US Open. Pic: Fido (Flickr CC)
