Despite being comboed for the first half of
the heat, Mick Fanning stuck to his immaculate rail game and came out
victorious. Photo: WSL
Mick Fanning conquered his fourth Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach title, after defeating Adriano de Souza in the 2015 final.
The Australian and Brazilian surfers finished their tenth match-up with the same heat total - 15.27 points each - but it was Fanning who celebrated because in a tiebreak situation the highest single-wave score (8.17) wins the clash.It was the first time a World Championship Tour final has ever been tied. Fanning is now tied with Kelly Slater and Mark Richards with four Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach wins each, the most in the event's history.
"I'd never put myself in a category with MR (Mark Richards), Kelly Slater and Andy Irons. Those guys are my heroes. MR is a god, Kelly is a king, and Andy is forever, it's awesome," said Fanning.
"Bells is a special place for me and it's the first event I ever came to as a kid. Every time I paddle out I just want to do my best, throw myself into it and not have any regrets."
"As elating as the win is for me I know it's heartbreaking for Adriano. He's such a top bloke and he throws his heart into everything, and he trains so hard. He's the elder statesman for the Brazilian storm, and he does an impeccable job at leading them," concluded the 2015 winner.
Mick Fanning is now wearing the gold leader jersey. The third event of the 2015 World Surf League is the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro and runs between April 15th-26th.
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach 2015 | Final
1: Mick Fanning (AUS) - 15.27 (Fanning wins with the heat's highest single-wave score, 8.17)
2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) - 15.27
