It has been a tense and exciting month for the crew at BASE as we anxiously awaited the Mick & Joel  Pipe showdown. With much relief we didn't have to wait too long and Mick was crowned the 2009 ASP World Title. Mick's 2nd world title and the 2nd time in three years Steph & Mick have brought home the ASP world titles. We catch up with the man behind Mick's equipment, Darren Handley and get an insight into Mick and DH's year.




BASE: Well congratulations DH, 1st Steph wins her 3rd consecutive world title, then a triple crown and now Mick wins his 2nd world title, must take a bit of weight off the shoulders?

DH: 'Yeah, the last month or so I have I have been so nervous, but I tried to hide all the emotions away from Mick and the team, I am so glad it is all over and we had success. Now I can start to focus on next year.'

BASE: Well what a comeback by Mick, was the old 'Cooly Kids Rivalry' driving Mick?

DH: ' Nah I don't think it was rivalry pushing Mick. Mick is a really determined surfer every day of the week. He trains hard and puts a lot of time into his equipment, he isn't going to accept 2nd easily.'

BASE: Mick seemed really focused this year, as a shaper does  a focused team-rider make a big difference?

DH: 'Yeah Mick was really focused, he always is. At the start of the year, he wasn't getting the 1st places but he wasn't far off the mark. He didn't get disheartened, just missed the waves in critical heats . He knew he was surfing at a high standard and knew that mathematically he still had a chance. When a surfer is as focused as Mick he isn't just looking at his training or how he is surfing, the equipment becomes a real critical focal point. Mick works with me closely on his equipment and we are always throwing new ideas on the table and looking at how we can tweak what we have got.'

BASE: In regards to equipment, what were you and Mick working on this year?

DH: 'The main thing we were focused on this year was looking for a point of difference in the boards. We went a little shorter and a little wider and it really worked. There was one 5'11 that ended up making the difference, it was this board that he won those last three events on, setting himself up for a showdown at Pipe.'

BASE: You and Mick have been working together for a long time and have reached some great milestones, that must be pretty satisfying as a shaper?

DH: 'Yeah we work really well together, we both know what needs to be done and we just focus on our goals and do it.'

BASE: Well this is the 2nd time in three years that Mick and Steph have taken out the World Title, what sort of impact does that have on the team at BASE?

DH: 'Yeah the buzz around the factory over the last two weeks has been crazy, everyone was really stoked to see Mick get across the line.  It is pretty personal for the guys, particularly when they have had their hands on the boards that Mick or Steph are riding in a heat, they get as nervous as I do. Some of the guys have been working with for a long time now and to see Mick & Steph succeeding the way they are is really satisfying, it is a goal we have all been working for.'

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