Who’s Gonna Win The World Title?

On the list of things that fans of competitive surfing love, world title scenarios are at the top. Last year the race came down to Pipeline, something that hadn’t happened in some years, and goddamn was it a thrill, especially when it rolled into finals day. Many a fingernail was bitten too short. We can only hope that this year’ll be the same. Ain’t nobody wanna see the ASP’s biggest cup handed over on a non-Hawaiian podium (except the title hopefuls). And that, right there, is the sole reason that we hope Mick Fanning doesn’t reach the business end in Portugal. Outside of our own selfish desires, best o’ luck to one of the tour’s most superior competitors!

Now, world title scenarios can get complicated at this point. There’s a heck ton of one thing driving: Hypothetical. The ASP have just released their title scenarios and below they sit. There’s a lot of Ifs and lot of Needs, but that’s just peachy, because it means nothing’s certain and who wants to watch an event with certainty? Dive in, speculate, prophesize, then see if you were right when the Portugal World Tour stop lifts of tomorrow. With any luck (from a spectator’s perspective), we’ll be looking at new title scenarios after this event…

If Fanning wins the event:
– Slater will need a 3rd or better to take the title decision to Hawaii.
– Smith, Burrow and Parkinson will be out of the race.

If Fanning finishes Runner-Up in Portugal:
– Slater will need a 9th or better to take the title decision to Hawaii.
– Smith will need to win the event to take the title decision to Hawaii.
– Burrow and Parkinson will be out of the race.

If Fanning finishes 3rd in Portugal:
– Slater will need a 9th or better to take the title decision to Hawaii
– Smith, Burrow and Parkinson will need to win the event to take the title decision to Hawaii.

If Fanning finishes 5th or worse in Portugal:
– The ASP World Title decision will go to Hawaii as, even with a 25th in Portugal, Slater can still win in Hawaii.