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
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