Photo: ASP / CI / KIRSTIN
Fanning gets doused in champ

Mick Fanning triumphed in deteriorating conditions and captured the 2009 Rip Curl Pro Search at the infamous Supertubos in Portugal. Not to mention (and perhaps more importantly), Fanning solidified his lead for the 2009 ASP World Title.

Photo: Warbrick
Mick boosts on his backside

Fanning adjusted to the smaller conditions the final provided and was dominant against Bede Durbidge. Fanning slashed the punchy wedges on his forehand to net a solid 6.67 and a 6.00 that would prove unbeatable. "I've been surfing conditions like this all summer at home so I knew what I had to do out there. I was able to pick off a couple of good scores at the start," Fanning said.

Photo: Warbrick
Owen Wright was a wregular standout during the Rip
Curl Search

The Rip Curl Pro Search helped narrow the field of potential contenders for the 2009 ASP World Title from 10 to 2 throughout the course of the event, with the final event of the year at the Banzai Pipeline playing the decider. "I'm super pumped," Fanning said. "I'm going to go home and relax for a couple of weeks and get ready for Pipe. Hopefully we get some big barrels."

Though he finished second, Durbidge was a standout throughout the Rip Curl Pro Search. The natural-footer secured an impressive come-from-behind win in his Semifinal today before being stopped by Fanning in the Final. "The top guys of the event were in the top four," Durbidge said. "Mick has been in incredible form and he's on fire."

Photo: Warbrick
Just another day for Taj Burrow

Owen Wright, a 19-year old wildcard, was an absolute standout in Portugal, eliminating Kekoa Bacalso, Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds and Damien Hobgood en route to his Semifinals berth against Fanning. Due to a ruptured eardrum though, he was unable to surf. He proved, however, that he will be a force to reckon with on the 2010 ASP World Tour. "It was a great experience and gave me a lot of confidence heading into next year," said the young Aussie lad.

Photo: Warbrick
Bede Durbidge cools off and finds some shade

Joel Parkinson is one of two contenders remaining this season, and, as the defending Vans Triple Crown Champion, will be a major player in the final event of the year. "There is not a great deal of points between me and Mick coming into Pipe so it's still anybody's to win," Parko said. Is it though? Let's take a look at the scenarios for the title...

- If Fanning finishes 33rd through a 9th at Pipeline, Parkinson needs a 3rd or better to overtake.
- If Fanning finishes 5th at Pipeline, Parkinson needs a 2nd or better to overtake.
- If Fanning finishes 3rd at Pipeline, Parkinson needs win the event to overtake.
- If Fanning finishes 2nd or better at Pipeline, he will clinch the 2009 ASP World Title.

The next and final stop on the 2009 ASP World Tour will be the Billabong Pipeline Masters running on the North Shore of Hawaii from December 8-20, 2009. Stay tuned to see who claims the 2009 ASP World Title.

UPDATE: 2009 Rip Curl Pro Search Highlights HERE


RIP CURL PRO SEARCH FINAL RESULTS:
1 Mick Fanning 12.67 def. Bede Durbidge 9.87

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Bede Durbidge 14.60 def. Joel Parkinson 13.27
SF 2: Wright Withdraws Due to Injury, Fanning Advances

CURRENT ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 10:
1 Mick Fanning (AUS) 7140 points
2 Joel Parkinson (AUS) 6772 points
3 Adriano de Souza (BRA) 6148 points
4 Bede Durbidge (AUS) 6146 points
5 C.J. Hobgood (USA) 5748 points
6 Taj Burrow (AUS) 5524 points
7 Kelly Slater (USA) 5514 points
8 Bobby Martinez (USA) 5421 points
9 Damien Hobgood (USA) 5116 points
10 Jordy Smith (ZAF) 4828 points