Fanning, cool as cucumbers. Photo: Lucia Griggi

Mick Fanning is back in his rightful place. The same place he found back in 2007, when he dominated with one of the most impressive win streaks in ASP history to earn his first ASP World Title. At the Rip Curl Search event in Portugal this morning he nabbed his third event in the last four tries, extending his ratings lead over Joel Parkinson in the process with just one event left to go.

Mick's huge advantage over Parko now is he's been here before. But after reaching the mountain top in 2007 Mick Fanning learned the hard way what it's like to wear the target. As a result, his 2008 season was almost over before it started. For the wind chill up on the mountain top is far more penetrating to the nerves, and finding your familiar comfort zone is almost impossible once you're so exposed. Just ask Kelly Slater, who went through the same process back in 1993.

The world title made Mick a national hero in the sport's crazy town of Australia, where being a celebrity is a lot handle. His feet hadn't found solid ground again until midway through this year, when all the weight of his country was transferred over to the shoulder's of his buddy Joel Parkinson. After Parko's early dominance this year some in Australia were already planning his coronation...book deals were in the works, documentaries being planned...and natrually, Parko's ankle essentially cracked under the weight of that pressure.

Meanwhile, back on firm ground Mick Fanning was able to find his winning ways again. And today, wiser for the wear thanks to his journey up to the mountain top, he has what looks like a radar lock on the task at hand. The Fanning Focus is back, and he's galloping toward the finish in silky-smooth stride.

Lest you think it's all over though, understand this...Parko's third place finish says a lot. He's dealt with more in a single season than most deal with in a career. And while his brief journey to the top yeilded him plenty of arrows to the body, he's got dressing on his wounds now, and he's going to be ready for one more good fight at Pipeline. It should be one hell of a climax.

I don't know about you...but I'm enjoying this season.