Photo: ASP / CESTARI
Mick Fanning, reigning two-time ASP World Champion,
will look to kickstart his 2010 ASP World Tour
campaign at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach is preparing for the greatest assemblage of surfing talent in history to descend upon the tiny Victorian hamlet of Torquay, as the world's best surfers look to lay waste to the pristine righthanders of the region.

Event No. 2 of 10 on the 2010 ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach is the highly-anticipated follows up to an exciting season opener, and with 15 ASP World Titles represented amongst the ASP Top 45, this year's event promises to be a showdown for the ages, running from March 30 through April 10, 2010.

Mick Fanning, reigning two-time ASP World Champion, is the running favorite this season following a sensational assault on the back half of 2009. However, after an uncharacteristic Equal 9th place finish at the opening event of the season on the Gold Coast, the Australian natural-footer will look to rebound at the upcoming Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
Photo: ASP / KIRSTIN
Fanning finished an uncharacteristic 9th place at
the Quiksilver Pro
"It was a disappointing start because I expect a lot of myself on the Gold Coast," Fanning said. "I was happy with the way I was surfing. I just had a heat where I failed to lock in a solid second score. Now I've got to now focus at getting back on track at Bells."

A former event winner at Bells Beach (as a wildcard in 2001), and now a two-time ASP World Champion, Fanning understands that expectations upon him are different in 2010, but the 28-year-old will be looking to consolidate amidst familiar surroundings.

"There are a number of guys on tour that have a style that really suits Bells," Fanning said. "None more so than former winners Kelly Slater and Joel Parkinson. If I had to throw another name out it would be Jordy Smith - he's lethal on a righthand pointbreak and coming off a second place finish in the first event, I got a feeling he'll be one to watch."

Taj Burrow, current ASP World No. 1 and former winner at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (2007), has been in unstoppable form since December, claiming three victories in three attempts at Pipeline, Burleigh Heads and Snapper Rocks.

"I haven't actually changed my approach that much at all," Burrow said. "The training I've been doing hasn't changed one bit. I'm just feeling really confident at the moment. I always do my best when I'm actually excited to surf a heat, so I've just been trying to replicate how I feel when I go free surfing."

Burrow's newfound consistency has several pundits alluring to the possibility of a maiden ASP World Title clinching, but the progressive icon is cautious when considering 2010's outcome.

Photo: ASP / Warbrick
Taj Burrow will hope to unleash his aerial antics at
Bells

"It's too early in the year for pressure," Burrow said. "The first few events are always about getting into competing again and finding some momentum."

Andy Irons, former three-time ASP World Champion, has returned to full-time competition following a sabbatical in 2009. Finishing Equal 17th on the Gold Coast, the ferocious Hawaiian has gotten a taste for the new blood on tour and is prepared to do battle at Bells Beach.

"The surfing has really progressed," Irons said. "The new generation of kids on tour surf amazing. I'm stoked to be back in with the mix that's for sure."

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be webcast LIVE via www.live.ripcurl.com



ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 5 (Heading Into Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach):
1 Taj Burrow (AUS) 10000 pts
2 Jordy Smith (ZAF) 8000 pts
3 Bobby Martinez (USA) 6500 pts
3 Dane Reynolds (USA) 6500 pts
5 Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5250 pts
5 Bede Durbidge (AUS) 5250 pts
5 Adriano de Souza (BRA) 5250 pts
5 Kai Otton (AUS) 5250 pts