Mick Fanning’s brother, Peter, passes away

Competing for a fourth world surfing title at the Pipe Masters in Hawaii today, Fanning woke to the news that his eldest brother, Peter, had died in his sleep.

Peter is the second brother that Fanning has lost after one of his older brothers, Sean, died in a auto accident in 1998.

It is believed he was told that his brother had died at the competition on Thursday morning. In an interview following his heat four win, Fanning did not comment on his brother’s reported death, instead attributing his emotional state to “personal” issues.

Surfer Magazine took to Facebook to break the news of Peter’s death, writing, “This year has presented more ups and downs for Mick Fanning than most can fathom”.

Despite the tragic news, Fanning went on to win the third and fourth rounds of the Pipeline Masters, on Hawaii’s north shore. “We will not be commenting further”.

“Now, he paddles out into his Round Three heat against Jamie O’Brien with a World Title on the line”.

Mick Fanning shortly before being attacked by a shark during the finals of the J-Bay Open in Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa, in July. “I’ve got some stuff going on at home that I’m not happy to talk about right now”, Fanning said.

This has been a year of incredible highs and lows for the 34-year-old three-time world champ.

A cause of death is not yet known at this stage.