Mick Fanning will continue his push for a coveted fourth world surfing crown on Saturday (AEDT) after getting off to a dream start at the Pipeline Masters in Oahu, Hawaii.
The 34-year-old Australian produced the one of the biggest waves on Friday (AEDT) at the Banzai pipeline, wowing the judges with a 9.43 ride through a heavy crashing barrel en route to his first round score of 14.60.
It was enough to narrowly hold off local surfer Bruce Irons (14.33), who made a number of last-ditch attempts to defeat the Aussie.
"I was just stoked to get two quick ones and then for the next 20 minutes it was pretty nerve-racking," Fanning said. "But I'm just stoked to get through."
Fresh off winning a World Cup event at nearby Sunset Beach last week, Fanning now advances straight through to a must-win third-round heat on Saturday (AEDT), swells permitting.
Making Fanning's start even dreamier was the fact reigning world champion, Gabriel Medina, was the only other title contender to qualify straight through to the third round.
After failing to win their heats, Australian Julian Wilson and Brazilians Adriano de Souza and Filipe Toledo will have to progress through a cut-throat second round if they wish to have any chance of keeping their title hopes alive.
Wilson's low-ranking score of 3.84 was particularly surprising given he won at Pipe last year. He'll now face fellow Aussie Wade Carmichael in the fifth heat.
Meanwhile teenage Aussie Jack Robinson, who was the hero of the innovational qualifying tournament on Thursday, could create an even bigger name for himself if he beats de Souza in the third heat.
Such an upset would eliminate the Brazilian and make Fanning's run to the title even clearer.
Fanning's opening-round nemesis, Irons, could also do the Australian a big favour in the second round.
The red-hot Hawaiian takes on Toledo in the day's opening heat.
Australians Kai Otton, Bede Durbidge and Josh Kerr also won their heats and progressed to the third round, while retiring American C.J. Hobgood produced the ride of the day, scoring a perfect 10 to win his heat.
Aussie Owen Wright, who was also in contention for the title, was forced to pull out of the event after suffering severe concussion and mild bleeding to the brain after crashing in a succession of waves on Thursday (AEDT).
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