Fanning sharing a podium and some champagne with Medina in France in 2013. Photo ASP/Cestari
Mick Fanning and Gabriel Medina are world title rivals, and they could soon be Hawaiian housemates. Can you imagine two boxers sharing a house in the build-up to a prizefight? Or Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal being flat mates for the whole of Wimbledon? That’s the odd couple scenario now in surfing after Mick Fanning won the Moche Rip Curl Pro in Portugal and moved within striking distance of world No. 1 Gabriel Medina.
The two surfers share the same sponsor and in previous years have shared the Rip Curl rented house that overlooks Pipeline, the venue for the final event of the world title race, the Billabong Pipe Masters in Hawaii in December.
“To be honest, I haven’t really had that conversation yet,” Mick Fanning told GrindTV. “I’m happy to share a house with Gabriel. I have no problem with that, but I’m also happy to give him space if he needs it.”
Medina was just 13 when Mick won his first world title, and the Australian has had backstage access as the Brazilian has gone from a super grom to his main rival for the title. So will Fanning, a legend of the sport and a three-time world champion, be handing out any advice over breakfast, or is he more intent on turning the screws on the youngster?
Mick on his way to a third World Title in last year’s Pipe Masters. Photo ASP/Cestari
“In the past I have given him advice, but I haven’t really seen too much of him this year away from the events,” continued Fanning. “Look, I like him. He’s a really good kid, and if he wanted to chat, no worries, I would be happy to. As for putting on pressure (laughs), what can you do? We are on different sides of the draw, so I can’t really do much.”
Having said that, Fanning, who won his third world title last year in huge waves at Pipeline, is not above playing a few mind games and realizes the pressure is all on Medina. “It’s a very different feeling than last year, for sure,” he said. “It’s sort of Gabe’s to lose now, so if Kelly or I win, it’s just a gigantic bonus (laughs). I am way more relaxed than last year. My whole focus is to win a Pipe Masters. If I can do that, I wouldn’t really care what else happened.”
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