FANNING FAILS TO FIND FORM BUT 11 AUSSIES STILL HUNT AT MEREWETHER

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 17 March, 2007 : - - World number one Mick Fanning has been bundled out of the Maitland Toyota Open surfing contest at Merewether. The Gold Coast surfer was edged out of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) event by fellow Aussies Nathan Hedge and Luke Munroe (Gold Coast, QLD) in a low scoring heat that totaled less than 31 points.

In a swell of around 3 feet (one metre), Fanning was unable to find the rides that would see him become the first surfer to win the Newcastle event four times. Despite catching seven waves, Fanning could only rack up a measly 7.06 heat score. "I moved from one side of the beach to the other, and I wasted valuable time paddling. I should've just stayed where I was," Fanning said.

The loss however did not faze the affable larrikin and he agreed to become a late entrant in the inaugural Mark Richards Invitational Teams Challenge and help raise money for charity.  "I came here to have fun and to support the event and everyone who has supported me," Fanning said. "Newcastle has always put on a top show in and out of the water and I'll be back next year," he added.

Bede Durbidge : photo Robertson/ASP

Nathan Hedge won't have to wait till next year to surf here again.  The 'Hog' beat Fanning and will be back in the line-up tomorrow. Second in the same heat was Luke Munro (Currumbin, QLD) who is looking to go as far as he did when he stood on the winner's podium following the 4 star competition at Pasta Point in the Maldives last June.

Hedge said he is firmly focused on getting the 1500 points on offer here to ensure he returns to the top echelons of the WQS and grabs a spot on the 2008 ASP World Tour. "This event is really big and important for me to get back onto the world tour," a pensive Hedge said. "I'm on the WQS this year, and I really want to get those 1500 points and get back into surfing on the world tour.

"The Qualifying Series events are great because you get to go to all different places and meet different people, but it doesn't beat the other tour." The young guns in the event also announced their intentions by displaying scintillating surfing, with current world U/18 champion Julian Wilson (Coolum, QLD) breezing through to Sunday's heats along with 18-year-old Matt Wilkinson (Copacabana, NSW). 

Wilkinson, who is a fierce competitive rival of Wilson, is looking forward to tomorrow's action.  "Julian and I have been sharing a unit together while we are here and last night we were joking how funny it would be if we were in a heat together," Wilkinson said.  "Well that happened today and we both got through, so I'm stoked."