Mick Fanning has boosted his surfing world title quest with a victory over old foe Kelly Slater that left fans buzzing about a ride that didn't count.
Second-ranked Fanning advanced to the quarter-finals of the Hurley Pro at Trestles in California by defeating the 11-times world champion 16.1 to 14.9 in their fifth round battle on Saturday.
However the ride by Slater that really set fans talking scored just 4.17.
Attempting an ill-flighted backside air reverse, the 43-year-old American disconnected with his board and fell but somehow managing to regain his feet and salvage the ride, later describing it as "surprising".
Sitting 250 points behind Brazil's Adriano de Souza on the world title leaderboard, Fanning now faces countryman Adrian Buchan in his quarter-final while fellow Australian Joel Parkinson's round-high 16.57 against Miguel Pupo also earned him a place in the final eight.
Fellow Australian, third-ranked Owen Wright's campaign took a blow in his fifth-round defeat by American Nat Young.
An all-Australian battle in the women's event dealt Sally Fitzgibbons' title chances a hit when she was beaten by Queenslander Dimity Stoyle.
Third-ranked Fitzgibbons had a chance to capitalise on championship leader Courtney Conlogue's elimination in the quarter-finals, however the 24-year-old was comfortably beaten by Stoyle 15.50-14.16 at the same stage.
Fitzgibbons will now become Stoyle's biggest fan as she looks to beat No.2-ranked Carissa Moore of Hawaii in their semi-final.
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