In other news, our roving reporter Tone “Spagone” Marshall was out last night (on the job of course) and came across a fire in the Torquay bakery, started by a couple of goons on the piss. No one was hurt, but the loss of a thousand meat pies was said to have devastated the local community.

Tone blew the smoke from his ears and then snapped the following gallery from Day 1. Enjoy.

Toast, anyone?

Slater spins to win.

Careful, she’ll drive you to drink.

Do you hear that? That’s the sound of victory.

Parko sluicing the inside on the way to a 16.20 heat score.

And the crowd goes wild.

Adam Melling swoops fins out.

Slater is in there. somewhere.

Rincon, being uhm Rincon.

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 13.60, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 13.33, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 11.17
Heat 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.64, Kai Otton (AUS) 14.43, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 12.83
Heat 3: Willian Cardoso (BRA) 15.06, Taj Burrow (AUS) 11.33, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 8.16
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 14.83, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 12.34, Oney Anwar (IDN) 7.60
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.20, Brett Simpson (USA) 10.20, Jack Perry (AUS) 8.87
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.03, Adam Melling (AUS) 15.50, Jacob Willcox (AUS) 10.17
Heat 7: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 16.33, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.60, Tiago Pires (PRT) 11.10
Heat 8: Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.06, Dusty Payne (HAW)
14.20: Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.87
Heat 9: Nat Young (USA) 16.43 Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.90 , Travis Logie (ZAF) 12.20
Heat 10: Filipe Toledo (BRA)
15.47, Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.67, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.23
Heat 11: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 17.26, Glenn Hall (IRL) 13.77
 Owen Wright (AUS) 13.36
Heat 12: Kolohe Andino (USA) 17.14, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.90, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.76

To sum up the forecast in one short sentence; it’s going to pump. Although the first few days of the waiting period are a little on the small side and a little inconsistent, the Easter long weekend is shaping up as nothing short of excellent.

Wednesday 27 March: New mid period SW groundswell 1 to 2ft early, building to 2 to 3ft at Bells during the late afternoon. WIND: WNW 5 to 15 knots tending to sea-breezes during the afternoon.

Thursday 28 March: Leftover SW swell around 2ft+ at Bells. New long range WSW groundswell building to an inconsistent 2 – 4ft at Bells during the afternoon. WIND: WSW 15 to 20 knots.

Friday 29 March: SW groundswell, 3 to 5ft at Bells. WIND: WNW 10 to 15 knots, tending to sea breezes later.

Saturday 30 March: SW groundswell around 3 – 4ft+ at Bells, building to an inconsistent 4 – 5ft during the late afternoon/ evening. WIND: WNW 10 to 15 knots, tending to sea breezes later.

Sunday 31 March: SW groundswell 5 – 6ft+ at Bells. WIND: Light to moderate WNW to WSW.

Monday 1 April: SW groundswell 4 to 5ft at Bells, easing later. WIND: Light NW to NE winds, 5 to 10 knots tending N during the afternoon.

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 2: Julian Wilson (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS), Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 3: Taj Burrow (AUS), Kieren Perrow (AUS), Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Oney Anwar (IDN)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Brett Simpson (USA), Jack Perry (AUS)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA), Adam Melling (AUS), Jacob Wilcox (AUS)
Heat 7: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 8: Josh Kerr (AUS), Damien Hobgood (USA), Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 9: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Travis Logie (ZAF), Nat Young (USA)
Heat 10: Michel Bourez (PYF), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Heat 11: Owen Wright (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Glenn Hall (IRL)
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Kolohe Andino (USA)

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Laura Enever (AUS), Silvana Lima (BRA)
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Alana Blanchard (HAW), Sage Erickson (USA)
Heat 3: Tyler Wright (AUS), Malia Manuel (HAW), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
Heat 4: Carissa Moore (HAW), Paige Hareb (NZL), Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
Heat 5: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), Rebecca Woods (AUS)
Heat 6: Coco Ho (HAW), Lakey Peterson (USA), Pauline Ado (FRA)

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 3: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
Heat 4: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Heat 5: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. C.J. Hobgood (USA)
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 7: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 8: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 9: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 10: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Bede Durbidge (AUS)
Heat 12: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Yadin Nicol (AUS)

Pictured: Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, two-time ASP World Champion (2007, 2009), has claimed the 2012 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach over reigning 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 40. Credit: © ASP / SCHOLTZ

Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, has claimed the 2012 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Ranger over reigning 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 40, in offshore three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves at Bells Beach.

Event No. 2 of 10 on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach culminated in dramatic fashion today with pundits calling it the “best Final in event history.”
The Australian and American went blow for blow throughout the 35-minute bout, exchanging massive scores and the lead several times before the dust settled.

“I’m so pumped,” Fanning said. “Kelly (Slater) did that Hail Mary for the 10 and I thought, ‘oh, here we go.’ I just caught waves and I’m stoked it all paid off. I’m really at a loss for words and I’m just pumped. It doesn’t get any sweeter. The crowd’s been amazing with the whole amphitheater and the history that comes with it. I always picture this event and have had some seconds over the years, so to get this one, I’m so pumped.”

Today’s win marked Fanning’s 14th elite tour win and his first Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach win since 2001. It also brings the Australian’s record with Slater closer to even at 7 to Kelly’s 8 in their heat matchup history.

“I’m just stoked because it’s been so long,” Fanning said. “It doesn’t seem strange that it’s taken so long to win another one when you’ve got guys like Joel (Parkinson), Jordy (Smith) and Kelly (Slater) on tour and I usually come up just a bit short. Usually against Joel, but I got him today!”
This year’s Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach was dedicated to the memory of three-time event winner Michael Peterson (AUS), who tragically passed away last week, and the Final was preceded by a minute’s applause in memory of the great Australian.

“I was on the verge of tears out the back,” Fanning said. “I just sat out the back before the Final and just took in the whole crowd. It’s not everyday you’ve got the crowd cheering and I could have paddled in after that, but I’m glad I didn’t though.”

Although finishing an uncharacteristic 13th at his homebreak on the Gold Coast, today’s victory rockets Fanning to No. 3 on the ASP World Championship Tour rankings heading into the next event.

“I had a bit of a meltdown at the first event,” Fanning said. “I knew everything was working well. I knew I just needed to go and simple things up. I took the headphones off and had a lot more fun. I knew there were going to be a lot of waves with the tide dropping out and I guess I just wanted to be on the good ones. You’ve got to just believe in your judgment and I’m stoked.”

Slater fought back from an early combination situation with an incredible full-rotation aerial for a Perfect 10. The legendary natural-footer backed it up moments later with an 8.07 to take the lead, but would only hold it briefly after an assault from Fanning.

“I was moving around trying to get active and I was just finding my feet,” Slater said. “I knew Mick (Fanning) was going to be real patient. I knew he got that start and then I tried to talk to him and he put his serious head on and pissed me off, so I thought I’d throw a big rotator on him and it wasn’t enough. That was pretty exciting for me. Even when he had the 9 and 8-something, I had a feeling I was in it. I felt like something good was going to come my way and it started to. I had one more chance and that was about it. I knew it was going to be a bit of a struggle with the waves out there, with the long intervals and long lulls, but that’s just the way it goes.”

Slater’s Runner-Up finish moves him back to the No. 1 spot on the ASP World Championship Tour ratings.

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, defending Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner, was a standout throughout the entire event, dominating the Bells Bowl and Rincon sections with an unmatched affinity. However, the stylish natural-footer would fall to Gold Coast stable mate Fanning in the Semifinals despite an impressive array of scores.

“I told Mick (Fanning) to ring that thing,” Parkinson said. “He beat me and I hope he beats Kelly (Slater). No one is more deserving. He’s come close so many times and put more time in here than anyone. If it wasn’t me, I couldn’t think of anyone else I’d want to see win it. We’ve had lots of battles and today I couldn’t get a good turn in. I was hoping for more waves and I was hoping to surf it out rather than sit it out. It’d be great to see Mick win it today. He’s a Kirra boy and he deserves it in memory of him, Michael (Peterson) was such a Kirra legend and Mick too, and I couldn’t think of a more fitting end to the day.”

Parkinson’s Equal 3rd today bumps him to No. 4 on the ASP World Championship Tour ratings heading into the next event.

Jeremy Flores (FRA), 23, posted two massive wins today over lethal rookie John John Florence (AUS), 19, and on form goofy-footer Owen Wright (AUS), 22. The young Frenchmen dissected the Bells walls with unmatched precision, but a priority interference in his Semifinal bout with Slater would see Flores bundled out with an Equal 3rd.

“I’m disappointed with the result,” Flores said. “I feel like I was surfing really well and I didn’t agree with the interference call. That’s surfing though so I just have to brush it off and focus on the next one.”

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.80
2 – Kelly Slater (USA) 18.07

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.10 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 7.83
SF 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.83 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.43

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.06 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 13.66
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.97 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 16.10
QF 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.00 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 10.27
QF 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.63 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.63

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 5 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.93 def. John John Florence (HAW) 14.00
Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) 17.40 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.36
Heat 3: Kai Otton (AUS) 14.27 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 12.90
Heat 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 17.27 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 9.04

CURRENT ASP TOP 3 (After Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach):
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 13,200 pts
2. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12,000 pts
3. Taj Burrow (AUS) 11,750 pts
3. Mick Fanning (AUS) 11,750 pts

Pictured: Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, two-time ASP World Champion and former Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner (2001), was in sizzling form throughout both his Round 3 and 4 heats, posting an 18.46 and an 18.20, firmly cementing himself as the form surfer of the day. Credit: © ASP / SCHOLTZ

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Ranger, the second stop on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour, enjoyed another full day of action with the world’s best surfers lighting up the clean four-to-six foot (1.5 – 2 metre) waves on offer at Bells Beach.

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, defending Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner, proved the most dominant surfer of the day, posting the day’s high 18.94 out of a possible 20 for an electric performance in the Bells Bowl. Parkinson’s unmatched speed, power and wave affinity proved enough to eliminate an on-fire Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), 30.

“I had a blast,” Parkinson said. “I wish that heat went for an hour. Freddy (Patacchia) was saying it was the best Bells he’s ever surfed in a heat. I’ve had it a lot better, but it was solid and pumping and I had so much fun.”

Regarded as one of the best surfers to ever take on Bells Beach, Parkinson was awarded the prestigious Rip Curl Pro Gold Pass today, joining a short but illustrious field of stalwart Bells surfers as the youngest recipient ever.

“It’s an honor,” Parkinson said. “When you look at the list of people who have received this award, you see it’s one of those rare things in surfing. It’s a huge achievement. You just have to love Bells. It can be a real hard wave to surf and a real tricky wave. No matter how good you are out there, you can get stuck. You just have to pick a good line and timing is absolutely essential.”
With projections indicating a potential finish in classic and solid conditions tomorrow, Parkinson’s afternoon Round 4 win will serve him well as he advances directly to the Quarterfinals.

“Bells is a very taxing wave to surf,” Parkinson said. “There are huge faces and powerful sections and that flat spot in the middle that you have to contend with. Skipping Round 5 is definitely an advantage and there are rumors that we may be finish tomorrow. It’s Bells though so we just have to wake up and see what we’re dealt.”

Kelly Slater (USA), 40, reigning 11-time ASP World Champion and four-time Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner, posted an incredible Round 3 win this morning over local wildcard Nic Muscroft (AUS), 29. After suffering a broken board mid-heat, Slater required an excellent score with the clock winding down. Stroking into a wave with seconds left, the iconic Floridian wrenched a number of solid outside turns before punctuating with a massive air reverse on the final section.

“Just to finish that wave I was happy,” Slater said. “I thought, if Nic (Muscroft) won then great. We’ve had great heats over the years. That was one that was a full battle back and forth mentally. Nic got cleaned up by 20 waves and the sets stopped when he got out and then he broke his board and I didn’t capitalize on those sets. I hadn’t finished a good one midway through the heat and then he came back really well. I never had any great waves overall. Luckily I got one with about 8 seconds left. I had the carve to start and it went a little dead until the end. The lip launched me perfectly in the air and had a good cushion to land on. I thought it’d be close either way. I would have been stoked for him, he’s such a good guy and obviously everyone’s pulling for him.”

Michael Peterson (AUS), winner of the first three events at Bells Beach and an icon of Australian surfing, tragically passed away last week and Rip Curl have dedicated this year’s event to his memory. The added importance of this year’s Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach is not lost on Slater.

“It’s been one week since Michael (Peterson) passed away,” Slater said. “Since the event is dedicated to him, we all have the black bands on, and it’s going to mean a lot to whoever wins this contest. I’ve got four Bells titles, but it’s taken me 20 years to do that. I’ve had a good run, but Joel (Parkinson) is often the guy to beat out here. Nic’s like that too. He picks the right waves and surfs them well.”
Slater would go onto crush his Round 4 heat with an 18.50 heat total this afternoon, advancing directly to the Quarterfinals.

Not to be outdone by Parkinson and Slater, Mick Fanning (AUS), 30, two-time ASP World Champion and former Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner (2001), was in sizzling form throughout both his Round 3 and 4 heats, posting an 18.46 and an 18.20, firmly cementing himself as the form surfer of the day.

“It’s always great to surf Bells with no one out,” Fanning said. “I’m just stoked because after a few waves, I was wondering, ‘do we play tactics or just catching waves.’ We just traded off waves and Raoni surfed good. With someone like him, who can posts 9s, it’s still a little nerve wracking and I’m happy to make it through that round. It’s a crucial one to get through.”

A perennial threat for the ASP World Title himself, Fanning was guarded when commenting on today’s Round 3 ousting of current ASP frontrunner Taj Burrow (AUS), 33, at the hands of Kai Otton (AUS), 32.

“It’s only been one event and there’s a long way to go,” Fanning said. “Kelly (Slater) missed a whole event last year and won the title with one event to go. I’m not super focused on that part right now. I’m focused on having fun. I’m just stoked. Bells is just one of those places. I love to come down to bells and having my main sponsors here, they’re so supportive and it’s just a great place. I’ve been coming here since ’97 and it’s always a great time.”

Following the completion of the men’s Round 3 and 4, the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Fiesta saw the girls smash up the solid waves on offer at the Bells Bowl for the non-elimination Round 3.

Malia Manuel (HAW), 18, 2012 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour rookie, was explosive in this afternoon’s Round 3 bout, besting current ASP Women’s World No. 1 Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, with the round high 18.30 out of a possible 20 and advance directly to the Quarterfinals.

“I think it was mostly the waves we had that helped me through the heat,” Manuel said. “The heat before had a lot of waves so I thought ours wouldn’t have many but it just kept pumping. I had to throw everything I had into it and it feels great to come away with the win. It’s always nice to surf against Steph (Gilmore). She’s one of my heroes. It’s always a pleasure to surf against her here.”

Carissa Moore (HAW), 19, reigning ASP Women’s World Champion and last year’s event runner-up, was another solid performer this afternoon, racking up an excellent 17.94 out of a possible 20 en route to the Quarterfinals.

“I would love a big bell,” Moore said. “I think we’re all really excited that the waves are so good this year and it doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down. So hopefully we continue to score great conditions and have a good finish.”

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.33 def. Yadin Nicol (AUS) 9.60
Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) 13.97 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 9.63
Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS) 13.77 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 7.17
Heat 4: Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.17 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 9.07
Heat 5: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.10 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.83
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.00 def. Nic Muscroft (AUS) 16.30
Heat 7: Kai Otton (AUS) 11.83 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 6.54
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.46 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 15.20
Heat 9: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 16.70 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.60
Heat 10: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.43 def. Travis Logie (ZAF) 10.96
Heat 11: Brett Simpson (USA) 15.54 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 12.53
Heat 12: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 18.94 def. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 17.37

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 4 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Owen Wright (AUS) 15.87, John John Florence (HAW) 15.00, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.93
Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.50, Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.10, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 9.64
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.20, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 10.83, Kai Otton (AUS) 10.33
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.27, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.60, Brett Simpson (USA) 7.00

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 5 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Heat 3: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. C.J. Hobgood (USA)

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
QF 1: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. TBD
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. TBD
QF 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. TBD
QF 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. TBD

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 16.74, , Sarah Mason (NZL) 14.50, Laura Enever (AUS) 14.00
Heat 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 18.30, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 17.50, Paige Hareb (NZL) 10.34
Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) 17.94, , Coco Ho (HAW) 12.60, Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 5.86
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.90, Lakey Peterson (USA) 15.20, Courtney Conlogue (USA) 14.93

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 4 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Sarah Mason (NZL) vs. Paige Hareb (NZL)
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Laura Enever (AUS)
Heat 3: Coco Ho (HAW) vs. Courtney Conlogue (USA)
Heat 4: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Sofia Mulanovich (PER)

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
QF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. TBD
QF 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) vs. TBD
QF 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. TBD
QF 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. TBD

Kelly Slater Wins His 10th ASP World Title in Puerto Rico >>