The Rip Curl Pro: You have to win it, to ring it!

Ding, dong, the bell has been struck by white lightening! Storming through the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach 2012, Mick Fanning defeated 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater in a final which has been dubbed the best in the events history.

The blow by blow battle saw impressive power house surfing and high scores exchanged between the surfers. The crowd standing tall on the amphitheatre sandstone cliffs went wild as the finalist unleashed their attack on Bells Beach.
Hunting down the waves, King Kelly Slater’s aggressive approach resulted in an unbelievable, goose bumping 360 aerial. Punting gigantic air from the lip, he landed a 10 point ride that mounted the pressure on the Aussie.

Mick Fanning had his game face on and tactically selected his waves. Surfing rail to rail with clean driving turns and colossal hacks, Fanning did what he does best and got the edge over Slater.
Pumping Mick up to the No.3 position in the world rankings it proved to be a vital and a moral lifting victory. “I’m so pumped,” Fanning said. “Kelly (Slater) did that Hail Mary for the 10 and I thought, ‘oh here we go.’ I just caught waves and I’m stoked it all paid off. I’m really at a loss for words and I’m just pumped. It doesn’t get any sweeter.”

With the Australian leg of the tour completed, Kelly Slater continues to amaze the surfing world and is back on the top spot with his runners up finish. However, the experienced Aussie trio of Taj, Mick and Joel are close on his tail with all having strong title intentions this year.
The next stop is the Billabong Rio de Janeiro Pro in Brazil. Adriano De Souza, currently ranking second is no doubt a favourite to take the trophy with the fiery support from his home country.
Check out all the action and Kelly’s incredible air in the video below. Enjoy!

2012 Rip Curl Pro Men’s Final Highlights