Rip Curl Pro 2016: Mick Fanning farewell, surfers Tyler Wright, Matt Wilkinson in hot seat at Bells Beach

IT’S the longest running surfing event in the world and the 2016 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will host a Mick Fanning farewell and what is exceed to be a titanic battle for the women’s surf crown.

Matt Wilkinson and Tyler Wright celebrate their wins at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros.

IT’S the longest running surfing event in the world and this year it will host the early season farewell of Mick Fanning and what is exceed to be a titanic battle for the women’s crown.

The Rip Curl Pro is steeped in history and has produced some of the most memorable surfing.

It is a favoured event of networks to male and female surfers and a happy hunting ground for the likes of Fanning, 11-time world champion Kelly Slater, women’s world champion Carissa Moore and multiple titleholder Stephanie Gilmore.

Carissa Moore after winning her third Rip Curl Pro title with her defeat of Stephanie Gilmore. Pic: Jason Sammon

This year the iconic surfing spot will host what could be Fanning’s last world championship tour event with the three-time world champion heading to the sidelines for a break.

He is still unsure whether he will contest championship tour events later this year.

It will also provide the venue for what could be one of the best women’s surfing stoushes in recent years.

Following the win of Tyler Wright in the Roxy Pro season opener, Moore, Gilmore and two-time Bells winner Sally Fitzgibbons bid to get their world title campaigns back on track.

An in the men’s the question being asked is if Australian Matt Wilkinson can back up for only his second ever world championship tour title.

Hell’s Bells!

WHAT: 55th running of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

EVENT WINDOW: March 24 to April 5.

LOCATION: Bells Beach, Victoria.

: TV: Fox Sports

Mick Fanning after winning at Bells Beach. Pic: Alex Coppel

THE CHAMPIONS

Mick Fanning (Four-time winner in 2001, 2012, 2014, 2015)

Carissa Moore: (Three time winner in 2013, 2014, 2015)

CURRENT WORLD SURF LEADERS

Matt Wilkinson, Australia.

Tyler Wright, Australia.

Matt Wilkinson and Tyler Wright celebrate their wins at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros.

FAST FACTS

#It is the world’s longest running surf competition.

#The venue is in the Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve.

#Bells Beach is comprised of several breaks: The Bowl, Outside Bells, Rincon, Centreside, Southside and Winkipop ate the main ones.

#The event song: ACDC’s Hell Bells.

Mick Fanning celebrates after winning the 2015 Rip Curl Pro.

INJURY NEWS

OUT: Felipe Toledo, Owen Wright, Bede Durbidge, Alejo Muniz, and Jack Freestone.

IN: Mason Ho, Stuart Kennedy, Adam Melling, Sebastian Zietz, and Dusty Payne.

Kelly Slater with groms at last year’s event. Pic: Jason Sammon.

BELLS BEACH TOP DOGS

After ringing the bell last year, Mick Fanning joined the short list of four-time Bells winners.

Both Kelly Slater and Mark Richards have achieved this feat in the past. Michael Peterson and Sunny Garcia.

Stephanie Gilmore in action last year.

When Carissa Moore won last year she joined the list of women’s three time winners which boasts Margo Oberg, Pauline Menczer, Lisa Andersen, Layne Beachley and Stephanie Gilmore.

Kim Mearig and Sally Fitzgibbons have two titles each.

Sally Fitzgibbons who won in 2012.

Last eight women’s winners

2007 — Stephanie Gilmore.

2008 — Stephanie Gilmore

2009 — Silvana Lima

2010 — Stephanie Gilmore

2011 — Sally Fitzgibbons

2012 — Sally Fitzgibbons

2013 — Carissa Moore

2014 — Carissa Moore

2015 — Carissa Moore

Kelly Slater climbs the infamous stairs at Bells Beach.

Last eight men’s winners

2007 — Taj Burrow

2008 — Kelly Slater

2009 — Joel Parkinson

2010 — Kelly Slater

2011 — Joel Parkinson

2012 — Mick Fanning

2013 — Adriano de Souza

2014 — Mick Fanning

2015 — Mick Fanning

CURRENT WORLD SURF LEAGUE RANKINGS

MEN

1. Matt Wilkinson AUS 10,000

2. Kolohe Andino USA, 8,000

3. Filipe Toledo BRA 6,500

3. Stuart Kennedy AUS 6,500

5. Adriano de Souza BRA 5,200

5. Joel Parkinson AUS 5,200

5. John John Florence HAW 5,200

5. Adrian Buchan AUS 5,200

9. Caio Ibelli BRA 4,000

9. Kanoa Igarashi USA 4,000

Bells Rip Curl Pro Trials winner, Jan Juc's Tim Stevenson.

WOMEN

1 T\yler Wright AUS 10,000

2. Courtney Conlogue USA 8,000

3. Carissa Moore HAW 6,500

3. Johanne Defay FRA 6,500

5. Stephanie Gilmore AUS 5,200

5. Tatiana Weston-Webb HAW 5,200

5. Malia Manuel HAW 5,200

5. Sage Erickson USA 5,200

9. Bianca Buitendag ZAF 3,300

9. Nikki Van Dijk AUS 3,300

Carissa Moore completing at the 2014 Rip Curl Pro