Jordy won the WT contest in Africa, his home turf, and jumped to the 2nd spot in the ASP WT ranking.
This year´s title race looks really promising as no one has an extended lead and we have all the usual suspects (Parko, Kelly, Fanning, Taj, Jordy) plus Adriano in striking distance.
Before we take a closer view on our fellow countrymen, a quick note on the standout of the contest: Adrian Buchan.
I won´t deny that he has the surf I dream on doing.
Have talked a lot about him before.
Watch out. I dare to say he may finish in the top five this year (which means breaking in the list above).
Now, the Brazilians:
Raoni Monteiro - Surprisingly, surfed good against the Tahitian Michel Bourez.
The problem is that the Spartan, as they call Michel, is showing that he is here to stay.
A top ten in the world ranking, with the circuit heading to Tahiti, Michel Bourez may reach the top 5 next month.
My bet: Raoni will be out of the WT in the midyear cut.
Heitor Alves is an amazing surfer but there is something missing.
He has won only one heat per contest, which was enough to keep him right on the bubble.
He is sitting in 23rd, one spot below the cut.
Tahiti is going to be his chance.
He has to win some heats over there as below him there are Teahupoo and barrel riding specialists such as Cory Lopez and CJ Hobgood.
Jadson André started J-Bay with a first round win over Taj Burrow which says a lot about how good his backhand is.
He lost to Damien Hobgood due to two critical mistakes (letting a good wave goes by being out of position and falling in his last attempt, going for a major turn when all he needed was a 5).
I would love to see him doing good in Tahiti, something he is well capable of, and improving his position in the ranking (currently 16th).
Adriano de Souza is surfing against the world. No one wants to see him doing good except us Brazilians.
Alejo Muniz never had so many people cheering for him as in his heat against Adriano.
Mineirinho is now 3rd in the ranking but I bet he can do better thatn Jordy and Parko in Tahiti.
Wait and see.
Alejo Muniz has to start surfing a lot better if he wants to be the Rookie of the Year.
Don´t get me wrong, I am cheering for him, but he was lucky to make his heat against Adam Melling (who was doing the best turns of the contest before their heat) and Julian Wilson is coming as a rocket behind him.
Both can surf without the pressure of the cut from now on, as Alejo has guaranteed his spot via the WT ranking and Julian via the World ranking.
I see the young Brazilian needing to work on his speed, as sometimes looks like he is forcing the turns, surfing without flow.
Anyway, in the 13th spot in the WT, this kid from Santa Catarina is certainly making us proud.
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