Mick Fanning defeats Joel Parkinson at Volcom Fiji Pro
QUARTER Final 4 at the Volcom Fiji Pro guaranteed one Tweed/Coolangatta surfer would go through to the semi-finals, with long time friends and rivals Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson clashing in near perfect conditions.
A combination of skill level and 4-6ft perfect waves at the famous cloud break left hander made for nail bitting viewing, Parko getting the better of the early exchanges.
After posting a 6.50 and a 5.33, Parkinson sat on a total of 11.83 for the last 10 minutes of the heat.
It was only a last gasp effort from Fanning in the last 40 seconds of the heat that saw him come from behind to snatch victory.
A good sized wave lined up and Fanning jumped on board, producing several slashing turns, the last of these putting an exclamation mark on the wave.
The Judges awarded him a 5.50 out of ten, which saw him jump to a total of 12.13 and sneak into the semi finals against CJ Hopgood.
The goofy footer Hopgood is somewhat of an expert in left hand barrels, so Fanning will have his work cut out for him.
In semi final one a red hot Kelly Slater took down John Florence with some freakish surfing.
As we speak Fanning is in the water against Hopgood with 20 minutes remaining.
