Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: Who will ring the bell? Surfers, draw, news, views
IT is shaping as one of the most memorable events on the world tour in 2018 as our women battle to reclaim the title and Mick Fanning farewells the WSL. GUIDE to Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
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IT is shaping as one of the most memorable events on the world tour in 2018 with Tyler Wright, Sally Fitzgibbons and Steph Gilmore determined to snap the five year run of US rivals and Mick Fanning farewelling the world tour at Bells Beach.
While three-time world champion Fanning will use the Rip Curl Pro to farewell competitive surfing, world women’s champion Tyler Wrigh is hoping to break through for her first ever win at the famed Australian event.
RING-A-DING: How Mick Fanning helped Steph Gilmore win Bells
CHEERS MICK: One last act of sportsmanship
MICK FANNING TRIBUTE: Shark wrangler, mate, surf great
The Rip Curl Pro is the longest running world tour event and one of the favourite events for both female and male surfers.
We take a look at the event, past winners, what makes it special and the favourites to win.
The ultimate guide to the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
HISTORY
The Rip Curl Pro is celebrating 57 years in 2018.
It is one of the most famous surfing events in the world.
It is also a firm favourite of many of the top women and men surfing on the WSL tour.
SURF WORLD TOUR: Aussies to cheer for
MICK’S FAREWELL: Fanning surfs on at Bells Beach
WHO
The top 17 women’s surfers in the world plus wildcards and the top 34 men in the world plus wildcards.
They represent the best-of-the-best in the sport.
MICK FANNING FAREWELL
It is here, pretty much where it began for Mick Fanning two decades ago, that the surf legend will retire from world tour surfing.
“There are also so many moments in surfing folklore from this place that it just feels special to be here,’’ Fanning said. “I first came here in 1998, and now 20 years later, I’m coming here for my last event - I’ve come full circle.
“It’s my last event, but definitely not my last time here at Bells, I’ll be surfing here for a long time to come.”
SURF CURSE: Aussie women out to end Bells hoodoo
SURF RANCH: Aussies heading to wave pool ahead of Olympics
WHAT
The Rip Curl Pro is the second leg of the 2018 World Surf League (WSL) World Tour to be contested in Australia.
The first was the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros on the Gold Coast won by Australian Julian Wilson and American Lakey Peterson.
THE WAVE
Seriously memorable. The wave is made for piers and high performance surfing and rarely fails to disappoint.
It’s generally chilly at Bells but the surfing is usually red-hot.
“The Bell is probably the most legendary trophy in surfing,” said world champion John John Florence.
“I’d be super excited to ring it, but it’s a hard one to win because a lot of guys seem to have this wave dialed. I do feel at home here.
“It’s a challenging wave, but I love the raw ocean power and how it’s always changing - it keeps you on your toes.”
PAINFUL: Julian Wilson’s extraordinary win
MAJOR BATTLE: Steph Gilmore v The Rookie
THE DEFENDING CHAMPIONS
American Courtney Conlogue won her second Bells trophy in 2017 much to the consternation of the Aussies but will be missing this year with a foot injury.
South African Jordy Smith broke through for his first Bells crown in 2017.
“This is a right-hand point like what I grew up surfing, so I feel at home and ready to go,’’ said Smith.
“It’s sad to see Mick Fanning go, but he’s done so much for our sport. I really hope I can get a heat with him here. Hopefully, we can meet in the final.”
THE AUSSIES
Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson are the best performed of the men’s field.
Mick Fanning has surfed six finals and won four. This event will be his final world tour tournament.
Joel Parkinson has been in five finals and won three.
It’s early season but any one of a number of Aussie women could dominate at Bells - from six-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore and former champion Sally Fitzgibbons to local Nikki van Dijk and world champion Tyler Wright.
THE VENUE
Bells Beach is comprised of several breaks, including The Bowl, Outside Bells, Rincon, Centreside, Southside and Winkipop.
The Bowl is the steep final section of the wave. Outside Bells is the main break that produces a long, fast, even wall when it gets above six foot. Winkipop runs over a reef producing a quick, hollow wave.
PAST RIP CURL BELLS BEACH CHAMPIONS
2017: Courtney Conlogue (US)
2016: Courtney Conlogue (US)
2015: Carissa Moore (HAW)
2014: Carissa Moore (HAW)
2013: Carissa Moore (HAW)
2012: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
2011: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
2010: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2009: Silvana Lima (BRA)
2008: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2007: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2005: Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
2001: Neridah Falconer (AUS)
2000: Megan Abubo (HAW)
1999: Layne Beachley (AUS)
1998: Layne Beachley (AUS)
1997: Lisa Andersen (USA)
1996: Pauline Menczer (AUS)
1995: Lisa Andersen (USA)
1994: Layne Beachley (AUS)
1993: Pauline Menczer (AUS)
1992: Lisa Andersen (USA)
1991: Pauline Menczer (AUS)
1990: Lisa Andersen (USA)
1989: Wendy Botha (AUS)
1988: Kim Mearig (USA)
1985: Frieda Zamba (USA)
1984: Kim Mearig (USA)
1983: Helen Lambert (AUS)
1982: Debbie Beacham (USA)
1980: Margo Oberg (USA)
1979: Lynne Boyer (USA)
1978: Margo Oberg (USA)
1977: Margo Oberg (USA)
WRIGHT ON!: Mikey making his mark
TEEN TYROS: Callaghan, Marks aiming for the stars
PAST RIP CURL BELLS BEACH CHAMPIONS
2017: Jordy Smith (RSA)
2016: Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
2015: Mick Fanning (AUS)
2014: Mick Fanning (AUS)
2013: Adriano de Souza (BRA)
2012: Mick Fanning (AUS)
2011: Joel Parkinson (AUS)
2010: Kelly Slater (USA)
2009: Joel Parkinson (AUS)
2008: Kelly Slater (USA)
2007: Taj Burrow (AUS)
2006: Kelly Slater (USA)
2005: Trent Munro (AUS)
2004: Joel Parkinson (AUS)
2003: Andy Irons (HAW)
2002: Andy Irons (HAW)
2001: Mick Fanning (AUS)
2000: Sunny Garcia (HAW)
1999: Shane Dorian (HAW)
1998: Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
1997: Matt Hoy (AUS)
1996: Sunny Garcia (HAW)
1995: Sunny Garcia (HAW)
1994: Kelly Slater (USA)
1993: Damien Hardman (AUS)
1992: Richie Collins (USA)
1991: Barton Lynch (AUS)
1990: Tom Curren (USA)
1989: Martin Potter (GBR)
1988: Damien Hardman (AUS)
1987: Nick Wood (AUS)
1986: Tom Carroll (AUS)
1985: Tom Curren (AUS)
1984: Cheyne Horan (AUS)
1983: Joe Engel (AUS)
1982: Mark Richards (AUS)
1981: Simon Anderson (AUS)
1980: Mark Richards (AUS)
1979: Mark Richards (AUS)
1978: Mark Richards (AUS)
1977: Simon Anderson (AUS)
1976: Jeff Hakman (HAW)
1975: Michael Peterson (AUS)
1974: Michael Peterson (AUS)
1973: Michael Peterson (AUS)