Mick Fanning ended 2009 as a winner and the two-time world champion has begun this year in the same fashion, leading his Kirra Boardriders Club to victory in ideal one metre waves in the Queensland round of the Jim Beam Surftag at Duranbah beach today.

Team Kirra stoked with the hard fought win (Mick Fanning absent from shot).

Fanning combined with a white hot Corey Ziems and team mates Asher Pacey, Alex Chacon and Matt Hurworth to help the defending champion Kirra squad to amass 105.7 points – outscoring surprise packets Noosa (102.3) and long time rivals Snapper Rocks (99.0).

Cabarita, who were in great form all day, were fourth on 72.1.

The Surftag format sees five-member teams given an hour in which each individual must catch three waves, with the second being a “Powerwave” worth double points. All three waves for each surfer count in the scoring and bonus points are awarded for teams that finish before the 60 minute mark.

In the final, a patient Ziems upstaged his more decorated club mate, taking his time to get his three waves, ensuring Kirra got off to a great start. Ziems scored 26.1 to give his side a 0.1 advantage over Snapper, who’s first surfer was world number two Joel Parkinson.

Then Fanning hit the water and proceeded to rack up a 25.7 in quick time before Pacey (19.5), Chacon (20.1) and Hurworth (14.3) ensured the win.

After the event Ziems was over the moon with both his individual performance and that of the team, saying the presence of Fanning allowed him to take his time in the final.

Corey working the suds.

“I am stoked with the win, we all are because there were a lot of tough teams here and if you can it’s so good to win,” Ziems, the winner of last year’s Quicksilver Pro trials, said.

“We were confident after the way everyone surfed at our club championships last week and to then add Mick, the world champion, it’s a crazy boost.

“In the final it wasn’t my plan to wait so long for my waves but I knew it was worth it knowing Mick was behind me if everything didn’t go well for me.”

A determined Mick Fanning sprints out of the blocks (is there any other type of Mick Fanning?).

Noosa, whose highset scoring surfer was Ryan Campbell (23.5), came home with a wet sail to snare second from Snapper.

Snapper competed in the final without perennial world top ten surfer Dean Morrison who had to leave the event early to attend a charity function. In the day’s opening heat Morrison earned a stunning 9.8 on his “Powerwave” – the best of the day, earning the man known as ‘Dingo’ a Sanyo dual waterproof camera as a prize for his efforts.

Palm Beach and LEBA (Lennox – Ballina) joined the top four in qualifying for the National final by virtue of them reaching the semi finals of today’s event.

The National final is expected to witness elite ASP World Tour surfers including Fanning, Parkinson, Morrison, Taj Burrow, Kai Otton, Drew Courtney and numerous other top line competitors lining up for their beloved clubs.

Another event on the day’s card was the FCS Manufacturers Cup which was taken out by DHD.

With Ziems in brilliant form surfing first and Fanning following him up with a total of 34 including the day’s only perfect ten, DHD amassed 84.6 and were too hot for Emery Surfboards (67.3) and Sel Surfboards (58.7). All three teams qualified for the National final in Sydney.

The next event in the series will be the NSW North Surftag event at Newcastle on January 23.

2010 Queensland Jim Beam Surftag Championships

1. Kirra* – $1500

2. Noosa* – $700

3. Snapper Rocks ‘A’* – $600

4. Cabarita* – $500

=5. Palm Beach*

=5. LEBA*

* Qualified for National Final at North Narrabeen beach on February 13/14

2010 Jim Beam Surftag Australian Series

23rd Oct           Industry Challenge – Winner: Hurley

29th Nov          Women’s Surftag – Winner: North Narrabeen

19th Dec          VIC Qualifier – Phillip Island

9th Jan             WA Qualifier – Margaret River ‘A’

15th Jan          QLD Qualifier – Kirra

23rd Jan           NSW North Qualifier

30/31 Jan         NSW South Qualifier

12/13/14 Feb    Australian Final

– By David Lyall

Photos: Brad Nielson

The 2010 Jim Beam Surftag Australian Series is proudly supported by FCS, Tracks, Swellnet, Sanyo, Beever and Global Surftag.

For more info go to: www.globalsurftag.com