Mick Fanning: a perfect final at J-Bay | Photo: ASP/Kirstin

Mick Fanning defeated Joel Parkinson to conquer the 2014 J-Bay Open in pristine eight-to-ten foot waves, at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.

The road to the final was a tough one for the Australian friends. With strong winds blowing, low temperatures and long paddle outs, Fanning and Parkinson had a few strong names to dethrone before the final clash.

Mick opened the day with victories over Freddy Patacchia, Alejo Muniz and Owen Wright. Joel defeated an in-form Adriano de Souza, and the surprise of the season, Matt Wilkinson, with a Perfect 10 in his bag.

Both surfers paddled out for the final heat with two event victories at Jeffreys Bay. The "Coolie Kids'" final put Snapper Rocks against Kirra in South African waters and they knew wave selection would be decisive.

Parkinson caught the first wave but got clipped. Fanning answered with a long ride and two barrels through the Impossibles section, on his way to an excellent score (9.00 points). Impeccable wave management, setting the bar for the rest of the final.

Waves kept pumping in perfect mode. Mick Fanning paddles for his second shot and steals another double barrel from the fast Jeffreys Bay raceway. The blonde had Parkinson on the ropes. Third wave, third good score (8.00). It was Mick's day.

The second half of the final opened with a committed response from Joel Parkinson. He managed to leave combo land, but Fanning was focused and ready to fire his powerful carves. Third J-Bay Open title for Mick Fanning.

"It was a good start but it's Joel Parkinson, you know. He's one of my favorite surfers of all time, best friend as well. He can pull things out. I'm just stoke. It was just an incredible day," says Mick Fanning.

"That's why we train. For big days like today. Lines were just coming down the point. It was just incredible, a magical day. This is a dream for us. If we saw these waves going on Instagram, we'd freak out. To have a contest here is amazing."

In the inaugural Heritage Series, Tom Curren used his effortless forehand skills to beat Mark "Occy" Occhilupo, in double overhead surf. The Californian stole the show with a Perfect 10-point ride, in the endless J-Bay liquid walls.

The next stop on the 2014 ASP World Tour is the Billabong Pro Teahupoo. The Tahitian leg will be surfed between August 15th-26th.

2014 J-Bay Open Final
Mick Fanning (AUS), 17.00 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS), 13.60

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