“When they said, ‘We’re going to Winki’, I started channeling Sunny Garcia against John Shimooka in ’95,” said Mick Fanning, after beating Taj Burrow to win the 2014 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. Photo: Kirstin/ASP

“After that result (13th) in Margaret River I went home and worked really hard and I’m so pleased that the hard work paid off,” said Mick Fanning. “Congratulations to Taj, I’ve never been so nervous for nine minutes of my life, he surfed amazingly.” Photo: Cestari/ASP

“It’s always been my dream to surf a heat at Winkipop,” said Fanning. “This is such a special event for me and I feel comfortable here. With the caliber of surfers on Tour at the moment, there’s never an easy heat, and it keeps it so exciting.” Photo: Ed Sloane / Video: ASP

Paddle battle! (Mick won.) “I felt really good and I had a fun today,” said Taj. “I had a good Final with Mick, but it was rough losing knowing I needed a 7 because I felt like there were so many opportunities to get one, but that’s the way it goes.” Photo: Ed Sloane

“There’s nothing better than ringing that Bell, even the little one,” added Burrow. “It’s such an iconic event and I’m glad to have my name on the Bell. I’d love to have it on there a second time but I’ll take this result, put it in the bank and carry on to the next event.” Photo: Ed Sloane / Video: ASP

“We got to surf everywhere at this event, which was awesome,” said Fanning, hugging Burrow afterwards. “We got to surf the Bowl, Rincon and finish at Winkipop.” Photo: Ed Sloane

Photo: Kirstin/ASP

Photo: Ed Sloane

“It's been a long Australian leg with three events in a row and it couldn't have been much better for me,” finished Moore. “Two wins and a Quarterfinal and to finish by winning at Bells is so unique and special." Photo: Ed Sloane / Video: ASP

“When I hit the water it’s all about surfing and catching waves; I like to enjoy what I’m doing and be in the moment,” said Tyler. “Not worry about anything else that I can’t control. I just want to surf the way I surf.” Photo: Ed Sloane

“Carissa is just an amazing human and a great winner,” credited Tyler, who lost this rematch of Moore and Wright's 2013 Bells Final. Photo: Cestari/ASP / Video: ASP

"Julian seemed as if he’d settled on something here," writes Nick Carroll, "on what he felt was expected of him, perhaps — and he produced it in clutch heat after heat, killing logical contender Parko in the Quarters with a lovely calm display." Photo: Ed Sloane

“Jordy was the best surfer of the contest, but he didn’t win,” writes Nick Carroll. “Neither did Jules (Wilson, pictured), although he came bloody close.” Photo: Ed Sloane

Julian Wilson leaves Bells with an equal-3rd, after losing a tight Semifinal to eventual champ Mick Fanning, 18.20-17.36. Sequence: Ed Sloane

"More surfers ripped at Bells than at any previous Bells (in this reporter’s 36-year experience)," writes Nick Carroll. "Any of the final 12 could have walked away with what we suspect may be one of the critical victories of the year." John John Florence. Photo: Ed Sloane

After beating Slater, John John Florence lost Semifinal 1 to Taj Burrow, 14.43-13.43, leaving the Hawaiian prodigy with an equal-3rd place keeper. Sequence: Ed Sloane

“It was a difficult heat,” said Stephanie Gilmore after falling to Tyler Wright in the Semis. “Tyler’s the sort of girl that you can’t let get any waves if you want to win a heat. She caught a wave on my priority, and it was a bomb, and got a 9-point ride.” Photo: Ed Sloane

“Unfortunately, I’ll take a 3rd-place,” added Gilmore. “I’ve never had so many heats where I’m always on my toes.” Photo: Cestari/ASP

In the Women's Semifinals, Sally Fitzgibbons fell to eventual champ Carissa Moore, 11.10-10.53. Photo: Ed Sloane

"Winkipop, just around the corner from Bells, is a way better wave, mostly," writes Nick Carroll. "It’s a long, straight-angled reef without the complications of the Bells/Rincon/Bowl weirdness." Photo: Ed Sloane

“‘That was the best wave on tour this year,’ Kelly said, his eye alight with the stoke of seeing someone go to the ends of his skills and come out clean,” writes Nick Carroll of Jordy Smith’s ride (pictured). ‘To keep speed out of that carve…’ He was lost for words, too.” Photo: Ed Sloane

“I saw Jordy as he went into the judges’ booth,” writes Nick Carroll. “‘I’m just gonna ask them what they really want to see,’ he said. ‘I feel like they’re judging me on my ability, or what they think is my ability.’ ‘Like, expecting you might do more?’ I asked. He shrugged. His face had that empty look of an athlete who’s given it everything and found himself short.” Photo: Ed Sloane

“I started well but the second wave I picked the wrong one and Taj got the opportunity,” said Adriano de Souza. “I did my best, that’s all I can say.” Photo: Ed Sloane

“I’m happy that I got as far of the Quarterfinals, but I wish I was able to defend my title,” Adriano de Souza finished. “Let’s see what I can do in Brazil.” Photo: Ed Sloane

“I had the waves to win the heat and he (Florence) capitalized on my mistakes,” said Kelly Slater, after losing Q2 to John John Florence, 13.13-11.10. “It was a slow heat so the nerves built and I forced a couple of turns. I’m happy for John John, though.” Photo: Cestari/ASP

“I think after I blew it on that one wave, it hit my confidence,” Slater added. “I’ll be hard on myself on that one for the next few hours I think.” Photo: Ed Sloane

“Joel , the man of passion, wanted the Bowl,” writes Nick Carroll. “‘That’s what this contest is all about,’ he said, semi-frothing in the half dark. ‘That’s where you want to win the Bell.’” Photo: Ed Sloane

"This swell was, in fact, rather thinner than it looked," writes Nick Carroll, "a lower-interval pulse from some godforsaken Southern Ocean storm that died before it could destroy Tasmania, and it looked as if the depleted energy level might not suit the big man." Photo: Ed Sloane

Gabriel Medina's limelight was cut short by fellow Brazilian superstar Adriano de Souza in the first heat of R5, where Adriano aced his younger countryman, 16.27-13.33. Photo: Ed Sloane

Freddy Patacchia also went down in Round 5, losing a heartbreaker to fellow Bells backsider Owen Wright, 13.37- 13.10. Photo: Ed Sloane

"Then Fanning’s Quarterfinal against Owen Wright (pictured) found itself stranded in an epic lull," writes Nick Carroll, "and people started muttering about Winkipop." Photo: Ed Sloane