Mick Fanning Through to Round of 48 at Telstra Drug Aware Pro Margaret River

Former world champion Mick Fanning has excelled in the first heat at the Telstra Drug Aware Pro this morning easily winning his way through to the Round of 48.
 
A past winner at Margaret River in 2001, Fanning gave an exhibition of precise, mistake-free surfing in solid 6 foot waves.  He looked in tune with the powerful Margaret River surf as the Aussie natural footer looked focused to make up from his early exit at the season opening World Tour event on the Gold Coast earlier this month.
 
Surfing in the best conditions of the event so far, Fanning was choosy with his wave selection but executed to perfection to record the highest individual wave score of the event so far.  His highlight wave of the heat saw the judges award a 9.70 for a series of powerful backhand manoeuvres that characterise the Fanning style.
 
Out of the water, Fanning was relaxed to be back at Margaret River. “I was stoked to be out there.  It is the best heat I have had here in a long time.  I concentrated on the lefts and sat out a bit and waited for the bigger waves,” said Fanning.  “It was a good first heat and I am ready for another one later today.”
 
Fanning joins other past winner at Margaret River, Taj Burrow (1997), Tom Whitaker (2008), Mark Occhilupo (1985 and 2006), Kieren Perrow (2007) and Josh Kerr (2010) into the Round of 48 which is expected to begin later this morning.  Top seeds Kelly Slater, Owen Wright, Bede Durbidge, Adrian Buchan, John John Florence, Kolohe Andino and Kai Otton have also progressed and will surf their second round heats later today.