Three-time world champion Mick Fanning is to contest the World Surf League's Gold Coast and Bells Beach events but remains non-commital about a fulltime return.
Fanning competed on a part-time basis last year following a taxing 2015, but still managed to qualify for the 2017 season after finishing 17th in the championship after contesting five of the 11 events.
The 35-year-old has confirmed to event organisers he will return to the WSL season's first and third events - Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast and Bells Beach in Victoria - while the second event, the Margaret River Pro, remains a likely option to complete the Australian leg.
It is understood Fanning has not ruled out returning to the WSL fulltime as he continues to weigh his options.
Fanning won the world crown in 2007, 2009 and 2013 before he being pipped in the 2015 championship in the final event at the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii, just months after he fought off a shark attack in the final of the J-Bay Open.
Meanwhile, fellow Australian Owen Wright is expected to learn his surfing fate this week.
Wright suffered a serious head injury when he was smashed by a wave while practising for the Pipeline event in December 2015.
He has not surfed competitively since, but had final check-ups with the World Surf League on the weekend as he attempts to return to the series.
The results of those are expected within the next seven days.
Wright is entitled to an injury wildcard to compete this season, and it's understood all recent meetings with specialists have gone positively.
The 27-year-old finished fifth in 2015, while his younger sister Tyler won the women's title last year.
Share
