Fanning finished with 16.93 points out of a possible 20, leaving Ward on 11.90 points and a two-wave scoring combination adrift.
“I’d waited six months to get a wave so I knew I could wait 20 minutes. I knew there were some high-scoring waves to be had out there,’’ he said.
“I didn’t think this (victory) would happen but I just tried to stay relaxed all week. I didn’t put any pressure on myself, I just really enjoyed the whole time.’’
Of his world championship lead, Fanning declared: “Like I’ve been telling everyone all week, it’s game on. I’m really pumped.’’
After 12 years grafting it out on the World Qualifying Series, Ward, 26, was pleased to have made the final of his first WCT event.
“It was just unreal surfing from Mick,’’ said Ward, who delighted the crowd with some spectacular aerial moves.
“From the start with his first wave to the last, he cleaned it up. It was just really slow out there but Mick got the good ones.’’
Fanning’s casualties on his way to the final included his quarter-final opponent, three-time reigning world champion Andy Irons (Haw).
Ward accounted for former six-time world champion Kelly Slater (USA) who bowed out in the quarters, at the hands of countryman Chris Ward, in a thrilling battle between the American East and West Coast surfers.
Veteran great and former world champion Mark Occhilupo’s hopes of a maiden Quiksilver Pro triumph in his testimonial year evaporated in the third quarter-final when he lost a low-scoring heat to Tom Whitaker (Aus).
Sydney’s Whitaker, a 2004 Quiksilver Pro semi-finalist, only just failed to go one better when he was pipped by an agonising 0.1 of a point by the electric Ward.
“It’s always going to be close - you’ve got the best 44 in the world surfing against each other,’’ said Whitaker who, while disappointed, was satisfied with his equal 3rd placing.
“The waves weren’t really co-operating but we did our best and to pull up just short ... oh well.’’
In the other semi, Fanning made a mockery of the crumbling conditions to score a day’s high 17.27 points out of a possible 20 and leave the in-form Trent Munro (Aus) in need of a two-wave scoring combination.
“It’s a good start to the year - better than 33rd which I’ve had the last two years in a row (on the Gold Coast),’’ commented Munro, of Scotts Head on the NSW North Coast.
“Hat’s off to Mick. It’s his home break and he’s pretty good out there. I guess there was just something missing there for me at the end.’’
Finishing in equal fifth today was 2000 World Champion C.J. Hobgood (USA), Irons (HAW), Occhilupo (Aus), and Slater (USA).
Renowned Hawaiian tube-rider Bruce Irons sealed the Evian Longest Tuberide specialty award for locking into the longest barrel of the event, an incredible seven second tube ride on day four that earned the 24 year-old natural footer an 8.83 and a $5,000 bonus courtesy of Evian.
The Quiksilver Pro presented by Boost Mobile has been proudly supported by the Gold Coast City Council. In 2004 the tournament was awarded Gold Coast Sporting Event of the Year.
The next event on the Association of Surfing Professionals Foster’s Men’s World Tour will be held at Bells Beach March 22 – April 1.
Quiksilver Pro presented by Boost Mobile official results: Final
1st Mick Fanning (Aus) 16.93 - 1200 pts, US$30,000 2nd Chris Ward (USA) 11.90 - 1032 pts, US$16,000 Semi-finals (1st>final, 2nd=3rd place, 876 pts, US$10,000) SF1: Mick Fanning (Aus) 17.27 def Trent Munro (Aus) 13.10 SF2: Chris Ward (USA) 14.10 def Tom Whitaker (Aus) 14.10 Quarter-finals (1st>semis, 2nd=5th place, 732 pts, US$8,000) QF1: Trent Munro (Aus) 15.20 def C.J. Hobgood (USA) 9.67 QF2: Mick Fanning (Aus) 15.66 def Andy Irons (HAW) 15.10 QF3: Tom Whitaker (Aus) 9.67 def Mark Occhilupo (Aus) 6.73 QF4: Chris Ward (USA) 14.77 def Kelly Slater (USA) 13.07
