News that Mick Fanning (AUS) was attacked by a shark during the Final of the J-Bay Open sent shockwaves through newsrooms around the world. Media outlets who had yet to acknowledge him as a mainstream icon wanted to hear from the man himself.
Safely back in Australia, Mick Fanning and Julian Wilson held a press conference to discuss the shark encounter at the J-Bay Open.
He started with his countrymen, holding a press conference with fellow Finalist Julian Wilson (AUS) shortly after their arrival back in Oz. Fanning expressed gratitude to Wilson for putting himself in harm's way. He also noted that the incident was completely random in his opinion, saying that he feels, "unlucky, but lucky all in the same sentence."
Next, he answered question on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, in which he explained what the encounter felt like.
Fanning on CNN - WSL
"I saw a splash behind me, and when that happened I felt something pulling on my leg, and I guess that was when it was stuck on my leg rope. I knew something was wrong then."
(Watch the full segment here.)
Fanning also made an appearance on US television program Good Morning America on ABC to talk about his first surf following the attack.
Fanning on CNN - WSL
The segment also featured a clip from his appearance on 60 Minutes, which featured his return to the lineup for the first time since the incident at J-Bay.
"I just didn't want to leave it too long," he said of the ocean waters key to his career. "I felt like if I left it too long I would start playing tricks with myself and having too many mind games go on so I just really wanted to get it done pretty quickly."
(Watch his full interview here.)
For more information on the incident watch the WSL Update Show and read the full story.
Soundbites: Media Coverage of J-Bay Shark Attack
WSL
News that Mick Fanning (AUS) was attacked by a shark during the Final of the J-Bay Open sent shockwaves through newsrooms around the world. Media outlets who had yet to acknowledge him as a mainstream icon wanted to hear from the man himself.
He started with his countrymen, holding a press conference with fellow Finalist Julian Wilson (AUS) shortly after their arrival back in Oz. Fanning expressed gratitude to Wilson for putting himself in harm's way. He also noted that the incident was completely random in his opinion, saying that he feels, "unlucky, but lucky all in the same sentence."
Next, he answered question on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, in which he explained what the encounter felt like.
"I saw a splash behind me, and when that happened I felt something pulling on my leg, and I guess that was when it was stuck on my leg rope. I knew something was wrong then."
(Watch the full segment here.)
Fanning also made an appearance on US television program Good Morning America on ABC to talk about his first surf following the attack.
The segment also featured a clip from his appearance on 60 Minutes, which featured his return to the lineup for the first time since the incident at J-Bay.
"I just didn't want to leave it too long," he said of the ocean waters key to his career. "I felt like if I left it too long I would start playing tricks with myself and having too many mind games go on so I just really wanted to get it done pretty quickly."
(Watch his full interview here.)
For more information on the incident watch the WSL Update Show and read the full story.
Mick Fanning
Featuring Yago Dora, Filipe Toledo, Caio Ibelli, Ian Gouveia, Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Gabriel Medina, Julian Wilson, Adriano de
Paul Fisher, Kelly Slater, Stephanie Gilmore, Mick Fanning, Chelsea Hedges, Joel Parkinson, Mark Occhilupo, and Dean Morrison takeover
Icons of surfing take the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro by storm, celebrating Kelly Slater in a World Champ's Super Heat. A lineup that compiled
Former CT surfers Caroline Sarran and Tim Boal add their footprint and their name to the prestigious Anglet Surf Avenue alongside the likes
The 10th stop on tour and the final proving ground as the world's best look to clinch their spots in the Rip Curl WSL Finals. Take a look
J-Bay Open
Ronnie Blakey, Peter Mel and Ross Williams discuss the rough starts of Kelly Slater and Gabriel Medina in 2015.
After an abrupt end at J-Bay, see who's up -- and who's down -- heading into Tahiti.
The contest with a harrowing finale had music behind the maneuvers.
US fans can catch all the action and terrifying finale of the 2015 J-Bay Open on ABC's World of X Games at 3 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.
WSL commentator on what it was like being on air while the J-Bay shark encounter unfolded.