Mick Fanning vs Kelly Slater, by the numbers in 2013

Mick Fanning is the best surfer in the world in 2013. He is world champion. He beat Kelly Slater by a single heat and is living proof that consistency is a formula that wins world titles. Conversely, Kelly Slater won two more events, won more cash ($90k more), had five more 10-point rides, rode 20 percent more excellent waves and had a higher average wave score. When Mick faced Kelly head-to-head twice this year, the first at the Quik Pro on the Gold Coast and then later in the Volcom Fiji Pro, he lost both times. There’s no doubting Mick Fanning is a deserving world champ. His worst result in 2013 was a ninth placing. He joins a small and exclusive club of three-time world champs: Mark Richards, Tom Curren, Andy Irons. Icons. As we all know, surfing is an accumulation of a long year and 10 events, with only eight events counting. He held the steeliest of nerve against both CJ Hobgood and Yadin Nicol in the Pipe Masters and he is a man who is rattled against no other competitor. Here’s how Mick and Kelly match up in digits… Events Surfed in 2013Mick: 10 Kelly: 10 Events Won in 2013Mick: 1 Kelly: 3 Prize MoneyMick: $233,000 Kelly: $322,500 Waves Counting Mick: 116 Kelly: 90 Average Wave ScoreMick: 7.10 Kelly: 7.91 Average Heat ScoreMick: 14.22 Kelly: 15.65 Minimum Wave ScoreMick: 1.67 Kelly: 1.50 Perfect 10 WavesMick: 1 Kelly: 6 Excellent Waves (8 – 10)Mick: 40 Kelly: 51 Good Waves (6 – 7.9)Mick: 47 Kelly: 25 Average Waves (4 – 5.9)Mick: 20 Kelly: 10 Fair Waves (2 – 3.9)Mick: 4 Kelly: 2 Poor Waves (0 – 1.9)Mick: 1 Kelly: 1