2009 ASP World Title Scenarios Heading into the Rip Curl Pro Search Portugal

With the completion of the Billabong Pro Mundaka, which was won by Adriano de Souza (BRA), the 2009 ASP World Title race gotten a whole lot closer heading into the last two eventsof the year: the Rip Curl Pro Search Portugal, followed byBillabong Pipeline Masters.

Here are some of the scenarios of what it would take for World No. 1 Mick Fanning, to clinch his second world title at the upcoming Portugal Event: mathematically, there are still 10 surfers in the running for the 2009 ASP World Title, starting with Tour ratings’ leader Mick Fanning and going all the way to current World #10 Damien Hobgood.

For the Rip Curl Pro Search Portugal these are the scenarios most likely to happen: If Mick Fanning wins the Rip Curl Pro Search Portugal: Joel Parkinson, needs a 9th or better and Adriano de Souza needs a 3rd or better to keep Mick from clinching the 2009 ASP World Title in Portugal. If Mick Fanning finishes Runner-Up in Portugal: Parko would need a 17th or better, Adriano a 5th or better, and Kelly Slater and Bede Durbidge would need a win to keep the race going into the final event at Pipeline. If Mick Fanning finishes 3rd at Portugal: Joel Parkinson needs only a 33rd, Adriano a 9th, Kelly Slater Bede Durbidge (AUS), 26, would need Runner-Up finishs or better, and C.J. Hobgood, and Taj Burrow, will need to win to prevent Fanning from clinching.

The Rip Curl Pro Search will host the world’s best surfers in Peniche, Portugal from 19 – 28, 2009.

CURRENT ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 10 (After Billabong Pro Mundaka):

1 – Mick Fanning (AUS) 6350 points

2 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 6306 points

3 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 5773 points

4 – C.J. Hobgood (USA) 5748 points

5 – Bede Durbidge (AUS) 5524 points

6 – Kelly Slater (USA) 5514 points

7 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 5149 points

8 – Bobby Martinez (USA) 4914 points

9 – Taylor Knox (USA) 4816 points

10 – Damien Hobgood (USA) 4794 points