Newsletter join now Keep in touch with all the latest surf news, green scene and partner info by joining the Drift weekly update. SIGN UP NOW
What are we made of? Drift Magazine is made from ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) FSC Certified pulp and low VOC vegetable inks. Studio power by Ecotricity and delivery made using Biopower V100 waste oil.
Top seeds took control of the ASP World Qualfying Series 6-Star Buondi Billabong Pro Portugal posting big scores and impressive performances in the good three to four foot waves on offer at Ribeira d’Ilhas by George Mojo
29/08/2008 :// From power carves to floaters, the level displayed definitely pushed the event to its world class standard and fourty-eight men only remain in reach of the prestigious title and the valuable 2500 ratings’ points going to the winner.
The international field of competitors managed brought impressive levels and it was current ASP World Tour member Heitor Alves (BRA) who ended up with the highest ride of the event so far, a near perfect 9.87 point wave (out of a possible 10) to advance and make his intentions clear.
"I am very happy to get through that heat because it was not an easy one," Alves said. "The waves were perfect, clean, long and offering great potential so I went for the maximum comitment and it paid off."
Alves, a rookie on this year’s ASP World Tour, will soon catch up with all Dream Tour campaigners in California and hopes to leave Europe with solid confidence as the learning so far among the elite has not been easy.
"I am learning on every aspect of my surfing and it is hard sometimes," Alves said. "I feel like I have improved competing against the world’s best surfers and am really feeling good and fit. I cannot wait to get next round going."
The Brazilian contingent suffered sevral losses though and their No. 1 representative Leonardo Neves (BRA) had to leave the water in third position after losing to Billabong wildcard holder Ruben Gonzalez (PRT), a well know leading European on the continent.
The beach of Ribeira d’Ilhas slowly filled up throughout the day with all people excited and ready to support the local boy and 2X Buondi Billabong Pro champion Tiago Pires (PRT), current No. 27 on the ASP World Tour.
Tiago Pires, a.k.a Saca, 27, watched he conditions all day getting ready for his start as the public was starting to go off. Pires, who ended up winning his heat with an excellent 15.50 point heat score (out of a possible 20), opened the battle with a 9.00 point ride setting the pace in the first two minutes before securing a good enough back-up score to advance in front of cheering crowd.
"I had a shocker last year at the beach break and I am stoked we got the opportunity to come back here this year because this place is really like my backyard," Pires said. "I was a bit stressed because I really wanted to get this one out of the way. I waited all day, did not have lunch and the longer the day is the hardest it is to deal with the pressure. I am pretty happy."
Pires, who will be much awaited in the “arena” of Ribeira d’Ilhas when Round 4 resumes tomorrow, brought excellent surfing and seems to be keeping his good roll going since he defeated 8X ASP World Champion kelly Slater (USA) in the last Dream Tour event.
"I am feeling good at the moment but I did not surf as good as I wanted," Pires said. "I know the wave really well and I know where to post the better turns and throw big sprays of water. It went well today in the end so I hope I keep going in the event. Surfing in front of your crowd is just amazing, especially at this place where it feels like you are in a stadium."
Pires will go for an unprecedent third final here this week and will have massive support if he keeps up the good work.
From Yadin Nicol (AUS) to Brett Simpson (USA), including Michel Bourez (PYF), Marlon Lipke (DEU), Patrick Gudauskas (USA), Tim Boal (FRA) and Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), most of the big names were in excellent form on Day 3 of competition and Irish surfer Glenn Hall (IRE) finished the day ahead of the pack with the highest total of the Buondi Billabong Pro Portugal, a 17.00 point tally (out of a possible 20).
"I am pretty happy and feeling good right now after that score," Hall said. "I usually manage to get through a few heats here every year so I am confident. That location is good with big swells and I hope tomorrow does not drop too much because it gets very tricky under three feet."
Hall, an Australian surfer who now flies the Irish flag in the ASP WQS Top 100, has settled in Europe last year and is looking forward to building up a strong reputation on the European tour.
"All Europeans on tour are very nice to me and I definitely feel good when I travel across the continent to compete," Hall said. "I was in Ireland recently and I am stoked to be representing the country now. There are plenty of kids surfing there and it is great to show the way."
Briton Russell Winter's run in the Buondi Billabong Pro in Portugal came to an abrupt end when the Cornishman finished last in his second round heat
The upcoming Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley may be the closest thing eight-time ASP World Champion and ratings leader Kelly Slater (USA) has to a home court advantage on the ASP World Tour
Home advantage saw Lee Ann Curren claim top spot in Rip Curl Pro Junior Mademoiselle at Les Bourdaines in Seignosse
The August Bank Holiday weekend saw a hive of activity at the inaugural Quiksilver Skins invitation competition, one of the most innovative contest formats to grace the circuit
Champions tell the story of their success step by step
Four-to-six foot swell predicted for event No. 3 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour
Skype us
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Surf art 
Surf environment