Intro:

Defending champion Mick Fanning jumped to second in the World Championship rankings by winning the Rip Curl Pro Portugal.

Script:

Mick Fanning is not going to give up his World title without a fight. this win in Portugal means he is now second in the world rankings with one event to go.

His 15.5 points was more than enough to beat second place Jordy Smith, who scored 7.67.

SOUNDBITE (English): Mick Fanning, Rip Curl Pro Portugal winner

"Oh, I'm just so stoked, you know. I don't know, I woke up today and the waves were just so fun. The whole day was just about trying to get good waves and just get barrelled and I'm just lucky that there was only one other guy out most of the time. I'm just so stoked,"

This was the Australian's third win of the season and means he is now just behind Brazil's Gabriel Medina, if Medina wins or comes second in the final event of the year then he will be champion, if not then Fanning could pounce as could America's Kelly Smith who is also in the running, it will all come down to that event, the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii.