Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: Mick Fanning falls at final hurdle of farewell event as Italo Ferreira prevails

CHEERS Mick Fanning! Thanks for the memories. The joy ride of one of Australia’s most popular athletes ended in the finals of the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach at the hands of a young Brazilian.

Mick Fanning showed his class in his quarter-final victory.

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UPDATE: THERE were tears, cheers, back slaps, bear hugs and, because it was Mick Fanning, one final act of good sportsmanship.

One of Australia’s most loved and respected athletes fell just short of a fairytale finish, beaten in his last world tour event but Fanning still bowed out a winner at the Rip Curl Pro.

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While the crowd were there to witness the triple world champion surf at Bells for the final time, it was Fanning who led the applause for the Brazilian who beat him to a dream finish to his 16-year career on the world tour.

It was also a smiling Fanning who warmly embraced Italo Ferreira on the water and then waited for him to be chaired up the beach — the honour afforded to event winners — before accepting his own ride from world tour mates Joel Parkinson and Tyler Knox.

Mick Fanning is the centre of attention.

“That was probably the moment that stood out for me today, being chaired by those two, such good mates,” Fanning told The Daily Telegraph. “That was a really special moment.”

He said there were no regrets at losing or deciding to retire.

“To see how much it meant to Italo was one of the greatest things I have ever seen at Bells. To see that makes me feel better,” an emotional Fanning said of the man who respected him by not giving an inch in the final and by emulating the same fight the Australian has shown throughout his entire career.

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“There are no regrets. You have to go and live life.”

The crowd erupted when Fanning surfed his final wave at the end of a career which has seen him survive a shark attack, the death of two brothers and a potentially career-ending injury to win three world titles, 23 world tour events and the love and respect of those around him.

Fanning broke down repeatedly as he farewelled friends and fans of a world tour he has surfed for 16 long years at an event he has won four times.

“It didn’t think it was going to be so emotional,” said Fanning who finished his career ranked No. 3 in the 2018 world title race behind Australian Julian Wilson and Ferreira.

“I’ve learnt so much and I walk away with so many great memories, not only in the surf but on land and travelling with people, so thank you,” he said.

Mick Fanning ran out of steam at the end.

Fanning focuses on the task at hand.

Fanning put up a bold fight.

Two decades after he came to Bells for the first time to watch his surf heroes, Fanning bowed out as one.

“Thanks for the memories,” said multiple world champion Stephanie Gilmore who rang the winners bell for the fourth time.

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“Thanks for giving me the advice on the surfing side of things and how to be a good person,” said mate and world title contender Matt Wilkinson.

Hundreds of fans on the beach held up #CheersMick signs as he ended his competitive career.

“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this. It’s been fun,” Fanning said.