Fanning and Moore win Hurley Pro and Swatch Women's Pro

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Form Guide

fanning3139hurleypro15morris_l.jpgSAN CLEMENTE, CA/USA (Friday, September 18, 2015) - Three-time World Surf League Champion Mick Fanning has claimed the 2015 WSL Jeep Leader Jersey after squaring off against then-ratings’ leader Adriano de Souza in a hotly-contested Final at the Hurley Pro at Trestles. On the women’s side, two-time WSL Women’s Champion Carissa Moore bested South African Bianca Buitendag to take the Swatch Women’s Pro at Trestles, her third Championship Tour victory of the season, and take the ratings’ lead heading into Europe.

From the start of the Hurley Pro Final Fanning looked in rhythm and at ease. De Souza was left in need of two good scores to put himself back in the heat after Fanning posted a near-perfect 9.77 for a series of clean and powerful turns. The Brazilian battled back with some critical surfing of his own to escape the combination with a 9.07 and powered back to the lineup to hunt down the 8.38 he needed to topple Fanning. He couldn’t find the score however, and it was Fanning that claimed the win. The final scores were 17.44 (7.67 and 9.77) for Fanning to De Souza’s 16.44 (7.37 and 9.07). 

“This has been a great event for me,” Fanning said. “I came in early and we had amazing waves. I’ve had such a great support team here so I’ve been having a lot of fun. My mum’s been here too which has been really special.”

“It’s been wild year for me,” said Fanning. “This wave and this event are all about performance. To walk away with this trophy is really special. I want to congratulate Adriano -- he surfed amazing and he always puts up a huge fight.”

“Every heat has it’s challenges,” continued Fanning. “From the first heat, to Round 3 against Kolohe Andino and then Kelly, Ace Buchan and Gabriel. When you’re surfing on the Championship Tour you surf against the best in the world. A fourth world title won’t be easy, especially when I have to surf against people like Adriano.”

De Souza became the first Brazilian to make a Final at the Hurley Pro today and adds another great result to his season despite dropping down one place on the Jeep Leaderboard to No. 2.

“It’s very special to make the Final with a legend like Mick Fanning,” said De Souza. “We had such a good battle out there. We were both fighting but outside the heat we are both friends. I’m really happy to be part of this Final and thanks so much to everyone for coming down. Big congratulations to Mick, he’s just so good. I tried to make a comeback with my last wave but it wasn’t to be. I’m still chasing my first world title and this result will definitely help.”

On the women’s side the Swatch Women’s Pro Final saw Moore take on Buitendag. Each of the surfers opened big – Moore with an 8.00 and Buitendag with a 7.67. The South African delivered big, powerful turns in the pocket but, with nearly half the heat gone, did not have a backup score, leaving in Moore in first place. The middle of the heat saw an exciting exchange and the Hawaiian was rewarded with an 8.37 to advance her lead. She kept the pressure on until the heat’s end and claimed victory. Final scores were 16.37 for Moore (8.37 and 8.00) and 13.84 for Buitendag (7.67 and 6.17).

“This is such a sweet win for me and I’m so, so stoked,” said Moore. “That was a really tough Final against Bianca and I’m just so happy to make it through. I love this wave -- it’s my happy place. It’s always so special for me to be here because I grew up competing at Lower Trestles. It’s just so awesome to come here on the women’s tour so big thanks to everyone for making that happen.”

“That heat with Tyler in the Quarterfinals was really special and very emotional,” continued Moore. “I had a tough time at this event last year so to make it through that heat really meant a lot. Tyler surfs so amazing and she really pushes me to be my best. We’re really missing Steph Gilmore on tour this year and we can’t wait to see her back and healthy. Courtney Conlogue is surfing so well at the moment so it’s shaping up to be a really exciting end of the year.”

Buitendag has had a series of great results this season and remains at No. 4 on the Jeep Leaderboard after today’s runner-up finish, her third of the year. 

“I’m blessed to be making Finals this year,” said Buitendag. “I’m making the most of the opportunities I have and it seems to be working out. I feel really comfortable on my backhand and I thought it was about time I started trying some new things. I’m taking it one day at a time and today was definitely a good day.”

De Souza previously went head-to-head with event standout Filipe Toledo in an all-Brazilian Semifinal. A passionate De Souza stamped his authority on the heat with an excellent 8.33 but Toledo closed the gap with an 8-point ride of his own. The pair each took a wave in the final seconds but Toledo didn’t get the score required and goes home in third place, moving up on place to No. 3 on the Jeep Leaderboard.

“I think that was a really close heat,” said Toledo. “I knew Adriano would be a really tough guy to beat because he’s got a lot of confidence at the moment. I’m stoked with the result and now I’m focusing on France.”

Fanning dispatched reigning WSL Champion Gabriel Medina in the second Semifinal. Medina’s pair of 8-point rides couldn’t match Fanning’s impressive 18.17 heat total. Today’s result for Medina is his best ever at Lower Trestles and he moves up from 10th to 7th place on the Jeep Leaderboard.

Buitendag got the better of Lakey Peterson in the opening Semifinal of the Swatch Women’s Pro with two mid-range scores. Peterson has been in impressive form throughout the contest and previously upset Courtney Conlogue in the Quarterfinals. Today’s third-place finish sees her solidify her Top 5 placing on the Jeep Leaderboard.

“I can’t blame anyone but myself,” said Peterson. “I made a lot of mistakes at the start of the event I think. I got one good wave and was feeling confident but then it went really quiet. I’m really disappointed in myself and the situation but I’m trying to look at the positive.”

Moore took out Dimity Stoyle in the second Semifinal with a 14.27 heat total. This result turns around a disappointing year for Stoyle and today was her first Semifinal berth of the season and her second ever on the CT. She moves from 16th on the Jeep Leaderboard to 14th but the young Australian will need to find three more solid results at the remaining events in order to requalify for the 2016 CT.

“I’m so thankful, I’ve had so many people helping me out,” said Stoyle. “I feel like I’ve finally had a chance to show what I can do. I’m a little bit disappointed in the last heat because I really want to get some good waves. I’ve been working hard over the last few months and I feel like it’s really starting to pay off now.”

Hurley Pro Final Results:

  • 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 17.44
  • 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 16.44

Hurley Pro Semifinal Results:

  • QF 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.46 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.27
  • QF 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.17 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.54

Hurley Pro Quarterfinal Results:

  • QF 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16.66 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 8.90
  • QF 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.67 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 8.83
  • QF 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.13 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 7.50
  • QF 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 11.34 def. Nat Young (USA) 9.44

Swatch Women’s Pro Final Results:

  • 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.37
  • 2: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 13.84

Swatch Women’s Pro Semifinal Results:

  • SF 1: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 13.27 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 12.93
  • SF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Dimity Stoyle (AUS)

2015 Men’s WSL Jeep Leaderboard Top 5 (after Hurley Pro):

  • 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 44,700 pts
  • 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 42,950 pts
  • 3: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 38,400 pts
  • 4: Owen Wright (AUS) 38,400 pts
  • 5: Julian Wilson (AUS) 34,950 pts

2015 Women’s WSL Jeep Leaderboard Top 5 (after Swatch Women’s Pro):

  • 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 53,000 pts
  • 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 48,600 pts
  • 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 42,800 pts
  • 4: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 40,750 pts
  • 5: Lakey Peterson (USA) 39,000 pts

Comments

the-roller's picture
the-roller's picture
the-roller Sunday, 20 Sep 2015 at 6:16am

In the quarter heat with Nat Young Gabby added a new move to his repertoire!

The footy flop.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Sunday, 20 Sep 2015 at 6:28am

That flop was ludicrous.

Pure theatre.

shoredump's picture
shoredump's picture
shoredump Sunday, 20 Sep 2015 at 7:21am

I'm not normally a conspiracy theorist, but it looks to me like Mick was helped in this event so they could get the shark attack comeback story on prime time. I watched this heat again and Kolohe was ripped off for sure. His 6.5 straight after Micks 5.5 at the 3 minute mark? Cmon...
http://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/143951/2015-hurley-pro-trestles-rou...

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Sunday, 20 Sep 2015 at 11:29am
shoredump wrote:

I'm not normally a conspiracy theorist, but it looks to me like Mick was helped in this event so they could get the shark attack comeback story on prime time. I watched this heat again and Kolohe was ripped off for sure. His 6.5 straight after Micks 5.5 at the 3 minute mark? Cmon...
http://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/143951/2015-hurley-pro-trestles-rou...

The more comps i watch i more i can't help but feel the same, i don't think the tittle will ever go to someone who doesn't totally deserve it but i truly believe the WSL has agendas and gives a little helping hand to some while holding others back.

Just happy to see Mick getting that little push now instead of a Brazilian.

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Sunday, 20 Sep 2015 at 8:47am

Glad I wasn't the only one that noticed Gabs flop. Pure theatre as Blowin put it and worthy of his soccer brethren.

Congrats to Mick and Adriano.

blindboy's picture
blindboy's picture
blindboy Sunday, 20 Sep 2015 at 6:45pm

I thought Fanning's small wave surfing in the final was superb. It was so fast, clean and powerful in such ordinary conditions that, in technical terms, I think it was amongst the best surfing I have ever seen.

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Sunday, 20 Sep 2015 at 8:15pm

I agree, Micks surfing this year has taken a leap ahead of everybody on tour. It is so perfect it creates haters as they say he is doing the same old stuff. Watch carefully and the guy is in a league of his own in terms of performance contest surfing. Not even Kelly can match his brand of performance and has to go for hail Mary's to try and beat him. Risky strategy. The Brazilians seem to really admire his fight and dedication to perfection. Have always been a huge fan of his surfing as it is great link between the old Aussie power surfers, Kelly's momentum and now the latest and greatest Brazilians. Go Mick.

poo-man's picture
poo-man's picture
poo-man Sunday, 20 Sep 2015 at 8:13pm

Yep agreed BB about being technically pure but also thought much of the judging in this comp was suspect. Still not sure about the Slater Fanning debacle. As an aside how good did that Wavegarden event look? Those waves looked unreal and WSL may have a bit of competition

crg's picture
crg's picture
crg Sunday, 20 Sep 2015 at 8:41pm

Got to agree that Mick's surfing has been next level all year. From Snapper he seemed to have something extra than everyone in his turns...so sharp, precise and powerful. If he's been over scored at all this year I think it was in the Bells final...ADS was a little unlucky there I thought.

Bob's 2 Bob's's picture
Bob's 2 Bob's's picture
Bob's 2 Bob's Thursday, 8 Oct 2015 at 10:17am

Please help Stu, Hossegor - what has happened to THE PUNTERS CLUB and FORM for the WCT events? Quiksilver Pro is into waiting period and I have no FORM guide as yet. Dane is also in the event again, WTF? When will the PUNTERS CLUB be up?

mick-free's picture
mick-free's picture
mick-free Thursday, 8 Oct 2015 at 2:43pm

Bob you good on the numbers. Why dont you post a new thread?

Bob's 2 Bob's's picture
Bob's 2 Bob's's picture
Bob's 2 Bob's Thursday, 8 Oct 2015 at 3:27pm

nah...I'm losing to date and lucky that William Hill was Money back...but I see the Punters Club is up so will analyse FORM and go again - they must have known the first 2 days would not run. Christie I think is due for a change of luck and Gizzy beach breaks are sort of like France, sometimes!