Fanning makes it a treble at Bells

Mick Fanning celebrates after winning the final of the Rip Curl Pro. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Alex Coppel / News Corp Australia

THREE-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning is now also a triple winner of the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach.

The 32-year-old had the best of an all-Australian final against Taj Burrow, winning 16.83 points to 13.46.

"That last nine minutes was so nerve-wracking," said Fanning afterwards. "I went for waves thinking they were going to be good and they weren't.

"Then I turned around and saw Taj on one and thought 'oh no, what's he going to do?' And then it didn't work out for him. I'm just so happy."

Mick Fanning in action during the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: News Corp Australia

Fanning said Bells had always been a special event for him.

"The first ever trip away I did was down here back when I was 15 or 16," he said. "I've been coming here every year.

"This is probably the only thing I know about Easter, coming here."

Fanning won his first tour title as a wildcard at Bells way back in 2001 and also saluted at the iconic Victorian break in 2012.

The Queenslander's world title defence is now right back on track after disappointing performances at the season-opening events on the Gold Coast and Margaret River.

Mick Fanning in action during the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: News Corp Australia

"Those first two events I didn't really hit the reset button hard enough," he said. "I think I got halfway there but not really."

Fanning advanced to the final by recording the highest two-wave score of the competition (18.20) in his semi-final over countryman Julian Wilson.

West Australian Burrow, who won the 2007 Rip Curl Pro at Bells, downed Hawaiian John John Florence 14.43 to 13.43 in the semis.

The semi-finals and final were contested at nearby Winkipop after conditions deteriorated in the Bells bowl.

Mick Fanning celebrates after winning the final of the Rip Curl Pro. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: News Corp Australia

After a slow start to his world title defence, Fanning has moved to third in the world title race behind Brazilian Gabriel Medina and Australian Joel Parkinson after three of 11 events.

Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater, defending Bells title-holder Adriano de Souza from Brazil and Parkinson were all eliminated in the quarter-finals.

2014 Ripcurl pro at Bells Beach, Victoria. April 23rd 2014. Picture: Colleen Petch. Carissa Moore celebrates her win at Bells over Tyler Wright. Source: News Corp Australia

Earlier, world champion Carissa Moore defended her Rip Curl Pro crown, beating Australian Tyler Wright in a repeat of last year's finale.

The Hawaiian caught the best of the waves in the decider to earn the right to ring the famous bell at the Victorian surf spot.

The victory has also secured Moore outright top spot in the chase for the 2014 world crown of surfing.

Moore just pipped the teenage Wright, beating the young Australian 16.23 to 156.77.

Carissa Moore on her way to beating Tyler Wright in the Rip Curl Pro final at Bells Beach. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

A delighted Moore was chaired up the beach by supporters after her victory then signed numerous autographs for young schoolgirls who had watched the heat.

"That was so much fun,'' said Moore chatted happily with Wright after the win.

Tyler Wright of Lennox Head, NSW at Bells Beach. Source: Supplied

Earlier 19-year-old Wright took down seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore in her semi-final to book her spot in the decider.

Wright dominated the heat for the 17.77 to 13.77

Moore set up her finals appearance with a hard-fought victory over Australian and former two-time Bells Beach winner Sally Fitzgibbons.

Tyler Wright during her semi final win over Stephanie Gilmore. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

Fitzgibbons just failed to upset the world champion with her final wave of a quiet heat.

"I was thinking there is now way Sally isn't going to win this heat,'' Moore admitted after just edging out Fitzgibbons 11.10 to 10.33.

Australia's Sally Fitzgibbons during her semi final loss against Carissa Moore. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

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