Mick Fanning progresses to semifinals, Gabriel Medina out of title race

It was hardly the type of thrilling conditions we saw title-deciding heats go down in yesterday at the Pipe Masters, but Mick Fanning just beat Kelly Slater at shifty Backdoor. And in doing so, he eliminated Gabriel Medina from the World Title race. Now, his last threat remains in Adriano De Souza, who will surf against Josh Kerr in quarterfinal 4. To win the world title, Adriano must now make it to the final.

Mick beat Kelly with a 3.50 Backdoor knife, and then, in the final minutes, needing a 2.67, Mr Fanning air dropped into what was, by a long shot, the biggest wave of the heat, burning around the foam to shoot under the lip for a 6.00.

“I felt the sun come out, and usually when the sun comes out, a wave comes,” said Mick. “You train so much for moments like those. You’ve gotta stay composed. If you freak out, you fall.”

“The energy’s been amazing,” he said, with a shaky voice, indirectly addressing how he’s dealing with losing his brother yesterday morning. “I’m almost in tears every time I’m walking down, and even in the water, I’m going through waves of emotion. But a good friend told me that you can deal with anything. You’ve just gotta do it yourself.”

Rosie, who was conducting the interview, was so overcome with emotion for Mick that the voice she threw back to Ronnie with was barely audible

Live, here.