RIp Curl Pro Bells Beach 2015

The final is about to kick off!

Adriano De Souza V Mick Fanning.

Adriano already has 1 bell to his name Mick is searching for his 4th.

Dont miss any of the action. http://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2015/mct/1222/rip-curl-pro-bells-beach

Mick Fanning has taken out Adriano De Souza in the final to claim his 4th Bells title!! Equal with that of Kelly Slater and Mark Richards!

Well done MF!

Event summary an highlight package to come!

Hell yeah, Mick!

Final Day Highlights and Resutls

Wow! What an amazing end to an amazing event. Mick Fanning (AUS) went back to back wins with a thrilling defeat over Adriano De Souza (BRA) in a tied final.  Mick got the win on a count back due to the highest single scoring ride of the heat.

With a very slow start to the heat and Adriano drawing first blood with a 1st wave score of 3.50, it took a good 15 minutes after that for the 2 contenders to get a good score on the board. Adriano posted a 6.33 with some classic top turns, then backed up that score up with 7.50.  Mick then took to the Bells Beach stage and produced a series of amazing gouges and fin blows positing the highest score of the heart with an 8.57.  It was blow for blow after that with Mick and Adriano posting scores in the 7 point range. With the time slipping away Adriano could not find the score he needed, Mick came away with his 4th Bells Beach victory and coming away with his 20th WCT win, equal to that of the late Andy Irons.

In his victory speech Mick said something very amazing about Mark Richards, Kelly Slater and Andy Irons. Mick stated that Mark Richards was a god, Kelly, a king and AI was forever and he was very humbled to be put into that same catagory. Adriano also dedicated his win to Ricardo Dos Santos with a message on his board. Both true champions.

Full Results on World Surf League

Great write-up, Aaron!

Thanks Jeremy!

Carissa Moore has just won her third Bells Beach title in 3 years! Way to go Carissa!! Stephanie Gilmore was runner up.

Here is the official press release from Rip Curl.

Hawaiian Carissa Moore with her third Bell celebrates on stage with Stephanie Gilmore. Credit: Warbrick

Carissa Moore Wins Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Carissa Moore (HAW) has won the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach for the third time after battling Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in the Final in bumpy three-to-four foot waves.

Victory for the two-time world champion today sees her take three consecutive Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach titles and become the first female surfer in Championship Tour (CT) history to achieve this feat. Moore defeated Tyler Wright (AUS) in both 2013 and 2014 for her prior wins.

Moore and Gilmore have previously had 20 CT heats together, with 10 wins apiece until Moore took the edge today in their 21st match-up. Most recently the pair faced off in the Final at Snapper Rocks, where Moore took victory and claimed the first CT win of 2015.

“It’s such an honour, I love coming down here and it’s such a magical place,” Moore said.

“It’s just been such a beautiful experience and I feel super blessed. It’s challenging not only to regroup after a win, but you’re also competing against the best in the world so you really have to be in tip top shape.”

Today’s win is Moore’s third CT victory in a row after triumphing in Maui last season and on the Gold Coast at the start of 2015, and sees her hold onto the Jeep leader jersey heading into the third event on the Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) in Margaret River.

“I’m just stoked I got to continue my momentum here,” continued Moore. “It’s a long year, there has only been two contests so far and I know that all of the girls are fired up and they want it really bad. Everyone is going to be surfing their best. I’m just living in the moment and I’m just so glad to be here spending it with all of you, so thank you.”

Gilmore opened up strong in the Final, posting an excellent 8.77 for typically smooth and concise surfing, linking together a series of turns and backing it up with a 4.50 for the initial lead. The Hawaiian fought back with an 8.00 of her own to turn the heat and claim the lead, holding priority through the closing minutes and taking the win with just two waves ridden.

Gilmore, the reigning WSL Champion, has rung the Bell three times. First she went back-to-back in 2007 and 2008, facing Sofia Mulanovich on both occasions. The pair matched up again in the Final in 2010 and Gilmore took the win. The runner-up finish for Gilmore today, her second of the year, sees her remain in second place on the rankings.

“Every single year it gets harder and harder to win these events,” Gilmore said. “It’s a real testament to all the girls on tour and just how much work and time they put out in the surf. I’m really proud to make it to the Final.”

“Carissa is always a tough one to beat,” continued Gilmore. “We have had a great battle for the world title the last few years and every single heat with her is hard. Thanks everyone for coming to watch. I love this event, I love coming down here, rugging up and trying to ring the bell.”

The next stop on the WSL Championship Tour is the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro in Western Australia, from April 15-26.

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Final Results
1: Carissa Moore (HAW) - 14.00
2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) - 13.27

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Semifinal Results
SF 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.50 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.40
SF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.50 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 16.23

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Quarterfinal Results
QF 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.50 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 10.60
QF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.37 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 8.23
QF 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.34 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.77
QF 4: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.56 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 15.17