Mick Fanning left Portugal with a third WCT event victory of the year, number 2 in the ratings and a good chance of overhauling leader Gabriel Medina at the last event of the year at the Pipe Masters. Tracks talked to Mick just before he flew home to the Gold Coast about the Europe leg, sharing houses with Gaby and what it would mean to bag a fourth World Title.

Tracks: How was the European leg overall, any highlights or lowlights?

Mick Fanning: It was really good actually. The last few days in France and the weeks in Portugal was some of the best free surfing waves we’ve had all year. I had a session in Hossegor just after the competition that were some of the best waves I’d ever had in France. Guys were ripping too, it was incredible. I think everyone is pretty surfed out and stoked. No real lowlights to tell you the truth, I had a really good time.

What did you think in Portugal when both Kelly and Gabriel were eliminated early?

Mick: At first I was like, “WTF this doesn’t happen.” I was stoked for Brett and Aritz, but then I realised there was an opening of the door and I got excited.

Have you seen the footage of Kelly smashing his board post heat? Is it strange to see Kelly bombing early and looking rattled?

I heard about it, but didn’t see it. That is very rare for him, that’s for sure. I have only seen him do that maybe three times in all the years I have been on tour. I guess it just shows you how much he still really wants it!

There’s a lot of who-needs-to-do-what-to-win-the-World Title breakdowns doing the rounds. Do you also look at that to see exactly what you need to do at Pipe?

You tend to look at it more if you’re in the lead and you need to shut people down. But when you’re chasing, it matters less, you just got to focus on winning events, the rest will look after itself.

It’s a very different feeling than last year for sure. It’s sort of Gabe’s to lose now, so if Kelly or myself win it’s just a gigantic bonus (laughs), but yeah I am way more relaxed than last year that’s for sure.

You usually share a house with Gaby in Hawaii, will that change now?

To be honest I haven’t really had that conversation with him yet. I’m happy to share a house with him. I have no problem with that, but also am happy to give him space if he needs it.

You’ve seen him grow up since he was a grom. Do you ever offer advice re: world titles, or do you now keep your distance and try and put some pressure on him?

In the past I have given him advice, but I haven’t really seen too much of him this year away from the events. Look I like him, he’s a really good kid and if he wanted to chat no worries I am happy too. As for putting on pressure (laughs) what can you do? We are on different sides of the draw so I can’t really do that much.

If you win the title, you’d be a 4 times world champion and the first Australian to win back-to-back world titles since Tom Carroll. How much is all that as a driver?

I haven’t thought about it really. My whole focus is to win a Pipe Masters. If I can do that I wouldn’t really care what else happened.

What do you in between now and Hawaii – what’s the plan?

It’s pretty simple really, I am going to do as much home time as possible, then head to Hawaii for the Reef Hawaiian Pro. After that it will all be about getting ready for Pipeline!

Good luck mate.

Cheers, I’ll give it my best shot.