JEFREY’S BAY, South Africa (Saturday, July 19, 2014): A thrilling Finals day at the J-Bay Open, stop No. 6 of 11 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), saw Mick Fanning (AUS) crowned event champion in epic conditions at Supertubes. The reigning three-time ASP World Champion faced fellow Australian Joel Parkinson in an historic and hard-fought Final in flawless conditions. Super Saturday at Jeffreys Bay saw the world’s best surfers take to the water in pumping six-to-ten foot surf and thousands of fans gathered to watch the final 12 surfers battle the waves and each other. Surfing legends Tom Curren (USA) and Mark Occhilupo (AUS) also took on the classic walls of J-Bay as part of the ASP Heritage Series.
Mick Fanning (AUS) took his second WCT win of the season after defeating fellow Australian and childhood friend Joel Parkinson in the Final of the J-Bay Open. The victory is his third win at Jeffreys Bay (his previous wins were in 2006 and 2002) and moves Fanning to No. 3 in the ASP WCT rankings. Fanning’s first wave of the heat earned him an excellent 9.00 for a double-barrel and powerful carves. He went on to use his polished skills to bank a second solid score and a two-wave heat total of 17.00 (out of a possible 20). Parkinson, the 2012 ASP World Champion, fought his way back into contention with rides of 7.43 and 6.17 but was still looking for 9.57 points when time ran out. Fanning previously dispatched Owen Wright (AUS), Alejo Muniz (BRA) and Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) on route to the Final.
“I never dreamed that I would get to surf a J-Bay final with Joel (Parkinson),” said Mick Fanning. “I’m so tired but it’s a dream-come-true kind of day. Joel is one of my favourite surfers and my best friend, we’ve known each other since we were kids. I’m so stoked, it was such an incredible day of waves and I’m just so thankful that I got to surf it. A big thanks to the ASP and everyone involved in bringing the event back to the Tour.”
Joel Parkinson (AUS) posted his second runner-up finish of the year and the result sees him move to No. 2 on the ASP WCT rankings. Parkinson, two-time winner at Jeffreys Bay (1999, 2009), topped Matt Wilkinson (AUS) and Adriano de Souza (BRA) before facing Fanning in the Final. Despite a valiant effort Parkinson was unable to find the near-perfect score needed to surpass Fanning for the win.
“It was an amazing heat and Mick (Fanning) is such a great surfer,” said Joel Parkinson. “I made a couple of bad decisions and I just didn’t get the right waves. It would’ve been nice to get a win but that was a brilliant day of surfing with amazing waves and it was so wonderful to be part of it”
Legendary surfers Tom Curren (USA) and Mark Occhilupo (AUS) took to the water in front of an enthralled crowd at Jeffreys Bay for the first installment of the ASP Heritage Series. The series is designed to celebrate and honor the foundational contributors to the sport of surfing by showcasing rematches between iconic surfers. Curren, three-time ASP World Champion (1985, 1986, 1990) and Occhilupo, 1999 ASP World Champion, battled in flawless J-Bay conditions. Curren’s effortless forehand approach was up against Occhilupo’s historic backhand attack. The American posted a Perfect 10 for three huge carves and a deep barrel putting the Australian in a combination situation. Occhilupo, winner of the first ASP event in J-Bay in 1984, took a final long ride down the point but was unable to post the excellent scores needed to take back the win.
“I love J-Bay, the waves are brilliant and the people are wonderful,” said Tom Curren. “It’s so great to watch all the guys compete here in such fantastic conditions. I got a little carried away during that ten-point ride, the waves were so good. It’s Sonny Miller’s birthday today so I just want to dedicate this to him.”
J-Bay Open Final Result:
Mick Fanning (AUS) 17.00 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.60
J-Bay Open Semifinal Results:
Semifinal 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 18.83 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 15.54
Semifinal 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 17.00 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 12.50
J-Bay Open Quarterfinal Results:
Quarterfinal 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.50 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.33
Quarterfinal 2: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 17.83 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.44
Quarterfinal 3: Owen Wright (AUS) 17.40 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.07
Quarterfinal 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.66 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 9.67
source: aspworldtour
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photo credits: Trevor Muran and Brian Miller