The surfing world is discussing whether Mick Fanning purposely dropped in John John Florence or not, in the last Round 4 wave of the Billabong Pipe Masters 2013.
People love unproven conspiracy theories, and the 2013 ASP World Tour title race has just won a fantastic story to sell newspapers and magazines.
In the dying minutes of his Round 4 heat, Mick Fanning was in second place. He knew he had to reach the Semifinals of the Pipe Masters 2013 to secure his third world surfing title.
The Australian drops in John John Florence and scores an interference to move down to third place. Now, did he force the worst result in order to avoid getting the talented Hawaiian in a Quarterfinal draw?
The conspiracy theory goes beyond. It tells us that Fanning knew he could avoid the young gun, and that he would meet an injured CJ Hobgood, in the Round 5 clash, instead of having Julian Wilson, in Heat 2.
There's more. Instead of having John John Florence in the Quarterfinal, if Mick gets through Round 5, he will be drawn against Yadin Nicol, a fellow countryman.
Now, do you believe Mick Fanning is playing an advanced strategy game? Is there heat management behind that last-minute interference? Americans says, Australians say no. Pro surfing is delicious.
Billabong Pipe Masters 2013 | Round 5
C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Mick Fanning (AUS)
Nat Young (USA) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)
Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Billabong Pipe Masters 2013 | Quarterfinals
Yadin Nicol (AUS) vs. Round 5 - Heat 1 Winner
John John Florence (HAW) vs. Round 5 - Heat 2 Winner
Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Round 5 - Heat 3 Winner
Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Round 5 - Heat 4 Winner