Australian Mick Fanning won his fourth Rip Curl Pro to seize an early lead in the world championship chase at Bells Beach yesterday.
Fanning, a three-time world champion, won the event’s first count-back final after locking scores with Brazilian Adriano De Souza.
Fanning, 33, was the form surfer of the event, although some commenters on the World Surf League website questioned whether he deserved the 8.17 score for the wave that won him the Bells title.
Fanning and De Souza entertained a large crowd on the beach, battling it out in 1.5-metre surf running through the Bells Bowl.
“Bells is a special place for me and it’s the first event I ever came to as a kid,” Fanning said afterward.
“The support and the crowds here are always amazing.”
Fanning is now tied with American Kelly Slater and Australian Mark Richards for the most Bells titles.
