If current Foster’s ASP World Tour No. 1 Mick Fanning (AUS) can advance through four heats of competition and win the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro today, he will clinch his maiden world title.

The remaining 15 heats of competition, the second to last on this year’s tour, will be run in five to six foot (two metre) surf in Imbituba. If title contender Taj Burrow (AUS) finishes one round above Fanning, and/or 8X World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) finishes two above him, the title will be decided in Hawaii in December.

Fanning is the defending event champion, Burrow won it in 2005 and Slater took top honors in 2003. Sixteen surfers are still in the running to wear the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro crown by day’s end.

Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro Event Site

Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro Round 4 Match-Ups:

Heat 1: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. Michael Campbell (AUS)

Heat 2: Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)

Heat 3: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Neco Padaratz (BRA)

Heat 4: Luke Stedman (AUS) vs. Mick Fanning (AUS)

Heat 5: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)

Heat 6: Shaun Cansdell (AUS) vs. Leonardo Neves (BRA)

Heat 7: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Ricky Basnett (ZAF)

Heat 8: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Tom Whitaker (AUS)