Stats coming into France

EVENT 6; Trestles 2009 … Mick went to California ranked 7th in the world and hadn’t won an event since Brazil 2007, (19 events ago). But now after this historic win at Lowers he will head to France number 2 on the ratings and within striking distance of his mate Parko.

From the event at Trestles Mick gained 790 points on Joel, moved up 5 spots and to keep his title hopes alive. Both surfers currently have a 17th and a 9th as throw-aways, so the distance between the two Aussies is 936 points whichever way you look at it. With just 4 events left in the season, Mick is going to have to do some serious surfing to catch the ratings leader. It is hard to predict what Fanning has to do to catch him but as a guide; if Mick was to place one position better than Joel in the remaining 4 events, he would still fall short of winning this year. So he will need to better Parko by 6-7 positions over the 4 remaining events to have any possibility of a second world title in 2009.

Each round of an event is worth different amount of points. Eg; all surfers get 225 points to show up … getting into round 3 is worth another 185 points .. Reaching round 4 is worth 190 points .. Making the quarters is another 132 points .. To surf off in the semis in another 144 points … And to reach the final adds another 156 points .. And finally to win the final is worth another 168 points. A total of 1200 if you are an event winner. Where Mick can make up these 936 points will vary on how the two go in each of the remaining 4 events.

Right behind Mick and not to be forgotten for this years title is Brazilian Adriano de Sousa who was 202 points behind Mick before France. But with Adriano throwing away two 17ths, he is closer than he looks, there is actually just 12 points separating 2nd and 3rd if they were to throw away results before France

TRESTLES 2009
Fanning surfed the perfect event in California, 6 heats .. 6 wins .. 100% win ratio .. 15.73 average heat scores with two scores over 17 for the win and 1200 ratings points.

On his way to his 10th tour victory Mick took out 7 surfers and built on some good head to head totals;
R1- Wardo (now 8-2 in favor of Mick) & Mushy (2-0)
R3- Micky (1-0)
R4- Keiren (1-1)
Quarter- Michel (1-1)
Semi- Kelly (5-6)
Final- Dane (2-1).

IN BETTER FORM THAN HIS POSITION WOULD SUGGEST
It’s funny how in 2009, surfers who have come up against the 2007 World Champion have lifted a notch in these heats. Mick has surfed in 21 heats this season and lost just 5, two of these heats have ended up being amongst the 20 highest heat totals in history, two have been lost by less than half a point and the other heat he lost to C.J in a quarter final in Brazil… For example; When Mick lost to Michel Bourez in round 2 at J-Bay, Bourez scored a 18.27 to Mick’s 17.17 to post the second highest ever combined total at the venue, and there have been many high scoring heats in South Africa.

Going back to the first event of the season, it took a score of 19.93 by Parko to stop Mick in the Semi Finals. Mick posted a losing score of 17.66, this was the third highest ever combined total at the venue and the 12th highest combined score in all recorded history…

Then in the second event at Bells, Mick lost to Jordy by just 0.34 points with both surfers posting scores over 15 each… In event 3 in Tahiti, Fanning lost to Tommy Whits by just 0.07 points in a heat where both surfers posted sub 10 point scores… and in event 4 in Brazil Mick lost to C.J. 12.87 to 9.17 in another low scoring heat, but the only heat this season where Mick has been seriously beaten.

In 4 of the 5 heats that Mick has lost this season, he has been so close, or he has been part of history by posting big losing scores. If Mick had a bit of luck in these heats I am sure it would be him that the world is chasing. I know that Fanning is stoked for Joel sitting in the top position, but not as stoked as he would be if he were in the numero uno position.

ALWAYS DRAWING SIMILAR LINES
Mick and Joel’s seasons and careers are so similar, Joel is in his 9th year, Mick in his 8th. Mick is the 2007 World Champion and Joel is twice a runner up.

09 Season average heat score before France - Mick 14.96 .. Parko 14.98

09 Season win ratio- Mick 76.19% .. Parko 81.48%

In 09 Joel has 6 scores over 17.00 .. Mick has 8 scores over 17.00 the most in the field

09 Season average event result- Joel 5.33 (3×1st .. 1×3rd) and Mick 6.67 (1×1st .. 1×3rd .. 2×5th)

Joel has surfed in 84 finals heats; 43 quarters .. 25 semis .. 16 finals

Mick has surfed in 89 finals heats; 43 quarters .. 28 semis .. 18 finals

Event wins; Mick 10 from 80 events, and Joel 9 in 89 events

Mick wins an event every 8 events he surfs and Joel wins an event every 9.9 he surfs

FRANCE AND THE TITLE
So now I am concentrating on just these three surfers Parko, Fanning, Adriano and the title, because the brothers Hobgood are a further 500 points behind in 4th and 5th and in my opinion are out of contention.

These guys recent form in France since 2005; Adriano – 08-3rd… 07-33rd… 06-17th…

Mick - 08-33rd… 07-1st … 06-2nd… 05-33rd…
Joel - 08-33rd… 07-3rd… 06-1st… 05-missed

Aloha! And good luck Mick. – Mike Newman, RAS SURFING STATS

Mick back on track after winning the Hurley Pro at Trestles. © Hurley

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