When it comes to The Founders’ Cup of Surfing team event Mick Says, “We’re going to win, for sure!”
Mick Fanning is retired but that won’t stop him from throwing turns like this. Photo: WSL/Morris
March 21, 2018.
After the Bells event, Mick Fanning is retired and officially off the roster for the WSL World Championship tour. Other than those stuck behind him in the ratings, this isn’t something that anyone is happy about. He’s still on for the WSL Founders’ Cup of Surfing which will be held in May at Kelly Slaters Surf Ranch. The Founders’ Cup is a specialty event that will be held in the Wave pool designed by Kelly Slater, located in Leemore California. As a glimpse into how the Olympic surfing events might work, this is a team event — USA, Australia, Brazil, Europe, and World will all go head to head in an up close and personal venue.
Surfing alongside Mick for team Australia will be Matt Wilkinson, 2X World Champ Tyler Wright, Julian Wilson, and Stephanie Gilmore who will be leading the team as Captain.
Australia’s team captain, Steph Gilmore. Some say that she is truly the best at the Surf Ranch. Photo: WSL/Morris
The WSL caught up with Mick to get an idea of how he is anticipating the event.
Although Mick Fanning is retired that doesn’t mean he isn’t competitive anymore.
World Surf League: What’s your take on the Founders’ Cup, and how do you feel about surfing the event?
Mick Fanning: I think it’s a great concept. We never really get to surf as a team, so the whole team environment is something that excited me. Having Steph [Gilmore] as the captain, she’s probably the best person in the wave pool, so we’re starting off on the right foot.
How do you think the team environment will impact your experience at the event?
Instead of slowly looking around, like, ‘Oh, that was good,’ we’ll actually be cheering on each other. I’ll probably be talking rubbish to the other teams, and we’ll see what happens.
What do you anticipate the arena aspect will be like, and how will it impact the surfing?
That’s the big experiment, to see how it goes in an arena platform, it could be super exciting — and it will probably make it a bit more nerve-racking as well, having that many people that close. Usually, we can get out in the ocean and quiet down a bit. But to have everyone there, it’s going to be really fun. I don’t want to get too nervous and just clam up.
What are Australia’s chances compared to the other teams?
We’re going to win, for sure.
More information regarding the event can be found here. Tickets to the event can also be purchased through the WSL website here.
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