Mick Fanning emerges as secret weapon behind Tyler Wright’s push for maiden World Surf League title

MICK Fanning has emerged as the secret weapon behind Tyler Wright’s push for a maiden World Surf League title.

Bells Rip Curl Pro Day 2

MICK Fanning has emerged as the secret weapon behind Tyler Wright’s push for a maiden World Surf League title.

Wright headed to the Gold Coast to surf the Cyclone Winston swell at Snapper Rocks late last month, with Fanning giving her pointers on the Superbank ahead of the season-opening Roxy Pro earlier this month.

Wright’s win in that event thrust her into the lead in the race for the world title and she’s on track for another strong performance at Bells Beach after winning through her opening heat in the tour leader’s yellow jersey.

Wright has made no secret of her desire to win the championship this year for the first time and Fanning, who will have a reduced season while on a personal break, is firmly in her corner.

“Tyler came up and spent about a week with us during that amazing swell at Snapper,” Fanning said.

“She hadn’t surfed much up until then, she was taking care of Owen and family, so it was great to have her up,’’ Fanning said of Wright, who has devoted much of her time since last December helping to care for brother and fellow pro surfer Owen Wright, who will miss at least half of the season after a serious concussion.

“You just saw from the first surf to the last surf just her energy grow and she was surfing amazingly.’’

Tyler Wright celebrates her win at Snapper Rocks. Picture Glenn Hampson

Fanning kept out of Wright’s ear during the Roxy Pro, leaving tactical discussions to her coach Glenn “Micro’’ Hall but was as happy as anyone when the Lennox Head product won the opening event of the season and had a surprise reunion with Owen.

“It was definitely very emotional,’’ Fanning told the World Surf League’s Dawn Patrol program.

“I was at home and that moment (that she and Owen celebrated), I just started bawling my eyes out.

“It was so cool. I know behind the scenes how much they’ve been going through, so it was very, very special.’’

Fanning was knocked out in Round 3 of the Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks but won his opening heat at the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach yesterday where he is the defending champion.

“I think on the Gold Coast I was sort of more outward, so this event I’ve tried to just tone it more towards me and I’m still feeling free and relaxed and just approaching it a little bit different,’’ Fanning said after his win over Keanu Asing and Mason Ho.

“It’s sort of calmer down here at Bells, you can get some more quiet time. On the Coast it was pretty hectic.’’

Fanning has committed to just three events this season as he takes a break from the sport following a frantic 2015 that included a shark attack in South Africa, the breakdown of his marriage and death of his brother.

And while his plan to requalify for the 2016 tour with those results took a blow with his poor finish at the Quiksilver Pro, he is yet to decide whether to reassess his plans.