Fanning’s triumphant return after shark attack

Australian surf champion Mick Fanning said he was excited about resuming competitive surfing after fighting off a shark in South Africa, but admitted he was spooked by seeing a fin on his first return to the waves.

Mick Fanning is swiftly beelining toward a fourth world title; four competitions post-Tahiti are to be contested before taking home another coveted gong, and firmly marking his place as one of the nation’s greatest athletes.

The Austrailian, 34, is looking to make his competetive return in the seventh stop on the 2015 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour. Fanning punched at the shark and got away.

In challenging, messy conditions at Teahupo’o, Fanning (12.17) was too strong for Melling (6.26) and trials victor Puhetini (1.33) to book a spot in round three.

“I feel pretty confident, there is so much that goes into a world title, you have to be on at all times”.

The 34-year-old made headlines around the globe when he battled a shark on live television while competing at a world tour event at Jeffreys Bay off South Africa’s Eastern Cape province in mid-July.

While he didn’t win his heat with the same ease as Fanning, Wilson who held priority late into the heat surfed smart in what he also felt were tough conditions, holding off Hawaiian Sebastian Zietz with a 10.66 score to Zietz’s 9.00. “I talk about it when I need to”.

“Tahiti has a vibrant wildlife as well – but I think really out there in Teahupoo it’s the wave most people are concerned about”.

Wilson, who came to the aid of Fanning at J-Bay, won the heat before Fanning.