COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia - Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, reigning two-time ASP World Champion and current ASP World No. 5, has issued a statement regarding a situation that occurred in Hawaii last December.

After having the pleasure of witnessing Mr. Fanning blossom on the ASP World Tour stage over the past eight years, we are proud to support him as the reigning undisputed ASP World Champion.

While the ASP does not condone Mr. Fanning's inappropriate choice of words, we commend him on his efforts to rectify an unfortunate situation.

What follows is a portion of a Mr. Fanning's statement:

"I acknowledge that my decision to use words that were inappropriate - albeit in an attempt to be ironic, knowing they were of the type favoured by the magazine - was misjudged and wrong.

I don't have or condone, any form of racist or, more particularly, anti-Semitic view.

I deeply regret my exchange with the reporter and apologise unreservedly to anyone who may have taken offence.

I strongly object to the article and through legal representatives steps have been taken to withdraw the edition from circulation."-i