Mick Fanning returns to professional surfing four years after announcing his retirement from the sport, and the three-time world champion has earned a wild card at the upcoming Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach event
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Mick Fanning returns to professional surfing four years after announcing his retirement from the sport, and the three-time world champion has won a wild card for the upcoming Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach event, the most popular on the WSL tour in Australia. A welcome stop.

Fanning, 40, who retired in 2018 after 17 years on the tour, said he lost his motivation to play “day in and day out”. He made a brief return to the professional circuit at last season’s Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic and will be back in the water for the April 10-20 event in Victoria – the world’s longest-running surfing event.

“Bells is the wildcard I really want,” Fanning said. “Sure, I played Narrabeen last year, but Bells is my real goal. It’s a place very close to my heart, and if I get a wild card, it’ll be there, so I’m happy.”

During his career, Fanning has won four times at Bells Beach, putting him on a par with surfing superstars Kelly Slater and Mark Richards. Although Gail Couper fought 10 times during the women’s amateur and professional eras in the 1960s and ’70s, no one beat the trio. Stephanie Gilmore and Lisa Andersen also won four titles during the cult break.

“Personally, I really like Bell’s wave,” Fanning said. “The speed, the expansive canvas and the fact that it’s a right-hand point breakthrough. I love everything Bells has to offer, the story, the cliffs, everyone’s gathering in the parking lot. It’s so awesome. It’s something on my mind.”

Fanning’s last return to the Narrabeen Tour was beaten by Brazilian Italo Ferreira in the round of 32, but before Bales – who missed out on a career fairytale in April 2018 The end – he says he has what it takes to put himself in competition with the next generation of surfers.

“I’ve been close [to winning fifth place] my entire career, but right now I just want to focus on doing well,” Fanning said. “My tour preparation includes non-stop training, but this time I’m just focusing on my surf and making sure it’s the best in the world.”

During his career, Fanning won 22 tour titles, 11 top-five finishes and three world titles. He now has a chance to add a 23rd title after receiving one of Bells’ five wildcard entries.

He joins fellow Mikey Wright, who will be returning to the tour for the first time.

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