Mick Fanning wins the 2014 Rip Curl Pro, Portugal

Today in Portugal, Mick Fanning pinched his damp fingers over the burning match that has been Gabriel Medina’s world title campaign. All year, it’s been “Gabriel’s year.” Then Kelly was gunning for him. And then John John had a chance. But all of a sudden, the man who’s barely scraped 20 percent of air time in world title conversations this year, has put himself shotgun and squeezed Kelly into the backseat.

“That’s where I like to fly – under the radar,” says Mick. “I didn’t really think about a win to tell you the truth, it just happened. Going into Hawaii with a title on the line is so stressful, but I guess I will just deal with that when I get there. For now I’ll just enjoy the win here.”

Amazingly, Mick had to surf five heats on finals day, taking down Alejo Muniz, Filipe Toledo and Kai Otton, before meeting Jordy Smith in the final and getting the better of the South African. While Jordy struggled to find opportunities in a wave-starved final, his fortunes were way better in the semis when he loaded up a 16.64 combined total over John John Florence, and ultimately shutting the door on John’s title hopes in the process. “I’m super bummed, but at the same time I’m stoked to have made the Semifinals,” said John. “I’ve been on a fun, good run for these last few events. Jordy got the good ones, so congratulations to him. I’m definitely excited to go into Hawaii as a possible spoiler to the World Title, I want to win Pipeline no matter what. The World Title is now out of my hands, so there’s no pressure on. I just can’t wait to go home and surf Pipe.”

With the world title now being decided at the Billabong Pipeline Masters on December 8, here’s the scenarios that could play out:

If Medina finishes 2nd or better at Pipe, he will clinch the 2014 ASP World Title.

If Medina finishes 3rd, Fanning will need to win the event and Slater will be out.

If Medina finishes 5th, Fanning will need to win the event and Slater will be out.

If Medina finishes 9th, Fanning will need to finish 2nd or better and Slater will be out.

If Medina finishes 13th or 25th, Fanning will need to finish 3rd to win or 5th to send the race into a one-heat “surf-off” between himself and Medina. If this is the case Tour Manager, Al Hunt will decide the format for the surf-off.

If Medina finishes 13th or 25th, Slater will need to win the event.

Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal Final Results:
Winner: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.50
Runner-Up: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 7.67

Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal Semifinal Results (1st to Final, 2nd finishes equal 3rd):
SF 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.64 def. John John Florence (HAW) 7.27
SF 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.17 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 8.40

Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal Quarterfinal Results (1st to Semifinals, 2nd finishes equal 5th):
QF 1: John John Florence (HAW) 17.83 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 11.83
QF 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.27 def. Adriano De Souza (BRA) 12.23
QF 3: Kai Otton (AUS) 14.80 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.17
QF 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.07 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 10.10

Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal Round 5 Results (1st to Quarterfinals, 2nd finishes equal 9th):
Heat 1: Adam Melling (AUS) 7.50 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 5.90
Heat 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.60 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 9.63
Heat 3: Kai Otton (AUS) 13.83 def. Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 8.33
Heat 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.23 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 7.30

Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal Round 4 Results (1st to Quarterfinals, 2nd and 3rd to Round 5):
Heat 1: John John Florence (HAW) 17.27, Adam Melling (AUS) 13.96, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.03
Heat 2: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 17.26, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 10.66, Brett Simpson (USA) 9.00
Heat 3: Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.10, Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 6.66, Michel Bourez (PYF) 2.03
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 17.74, Filipe Toledo (BRA) 7.76, Kai Otton (AUS) 3.60

Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal Round 3 Results (1st to Round 4, 2nd finishes equal 13th):
Heat 1: Adam Melling (AUS) 11.66 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 7.93
Heat 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.83 def. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 8.83
Heat 3: John John Florence (HAW) 18.77 def. Dion Atkinson (AUS) 13.27
Heat 4: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 11.07 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 6.67
Heat 5: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 10.90 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 2.83
Heat 6: Brett Simpson (USA) 12.50 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 12.06
Heat 7: Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 12.00 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 6.30
Heat 8: Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.27 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.07
Heat 9: Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.10 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 11.50
Heat 10: Kai Otton (AUS) 18.20 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 6.00
Heat 11: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.00 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.17
Heat 12: Mick Fanning (AUS) 14.10 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 13.33

Current ASP WCT Top 10 (following the Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal):
1. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 56,550 pts
2. Mick Fanning (AUS) 53,100 pts
3. Kelly Slater (USA) 50,050 pts
4. John John Florence (HAW) 47,950 pts
5. Michel Bourez (PYF) 43,750 pts
6. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 43,100 pts
7. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 42,900 pts
8. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 42,250 pts
9. Taj Burrow (AUS) 41,700 pts
10. Kolohe Andino (USA) 35,900 pts