Day one of the 2012 Rip Curl Pro, Portugal

And we’re in. Supertubos, scene of the Rip Curl Pro, Portugal, finally came to life and delivered, depending on your standards, very good waves for round one and most of round two. Joel Parkinson came outta the gates hard, posting a 17.17 combined total to scoop a win in round one. “This morning was tough as there weren’t really a lot of waves breaking through so you had to be on the ones that offered the most scoring opportunity,” said Joel. “I’m here to win. Everyone is. I’ve had a few seconds this year but am keen to put a win on the board. I’m not thinking about the World Title race really. I need to get some wins first before that can become a reality.”

Focused! But, there’s one man who, coy as he may be, will be Joel’s biggest problem. “My preparation varies from event to event,” said Kelly Slater, who also won his round one heat. “Supertubos, on its day, is one of the funner waves we have one tour. It can be big and barreling and close to shore and the crowd is right there so you feel like you’re interacting with them in the lineup. It’s a great place.”

Kelly also shrugged off talk of the title squeeze: “No pressure at the moment. I obviously have to perform in the last three events and so do all the other guys. When the race is close like it is this year, it’s definitely a lot more exciting and I feel like I perform well in those situations. The younger guys like Gabriel and John John and that whole generation are so talented. I’m lucky that I probably only have to compete against them for three more events.” How many times y’heard that?

Mick Fanning admitted to feeling off this morning, but his 16.17 total in round two was certainly a turnaround. “I was a little bit freaked out this morning,” said Mick. “The waves weren’t that great so I just wanted to go out again and catch waves in this afternoon’s heat. I’ve been a little bit on edge in the last few heats in France and this morning, so it was good to get a few waves under the belt and just relax a little.”

But, what of title number three, Mick? Do you want it? “It’s been a while and I sort of almost moved on from those first two World Titles,” Mick continued. “I’ve been trying to re-invent myself so I’m not too stressed and I’m having a lot more fun this year. I just want to surf well and if I can do that consistently you know I’ll be happy.”

Check back here in a few hours to see if the event rolls again.

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 6.30, Brett Simpson (USA) 5.06, Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 3.67
Heat 2: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.33, Taj Burrow (AUS) 11.36, Jadson Andre (BRA) 6.73
Heat 3: John John Florence (HAW) 14.73, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 7.34, Kai Otton (AUS) 4.13
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 9.67, Kieren Perrow (AUS) 9.70, Dusty Payne (HAW) 2.33
Heat 5: Kelly Slater (USA) 13.67, Dillon Perillo (USA) 6.60, Damien Hobgood (USA) 5.90
Heat 6: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.17, Kolohe Andino (USA) 15.36, Pierre Valentin Laborde (FRA) 2.96
Heat 7: Owen Wright (AUS) 16.26, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.94, Yadin Nicol (AUS) 7.65
Heat 8: Josh Kerr (AUS) 10.70, Taylor Knox (USA) 7.43, Heitor Alves (BRA) 5.53
Heat 9: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.50, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 13.83, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 11.67
Heat 10: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 14.00, Adam Melling (AUS) 11.87, Michel Bourez (PYF) 9.67
Heat 11: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.73, Travis Logie (ZAF) 12.83, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.03
Heat 12: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.53, Tiago Pires (PRT) 13.27, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 3.13

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.17 def. Pierre-Valentin Laborde (FRA) 6.17
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.33 def. Dillon Perillo (USA) 10.37
Heat 3: Dusty Payne (HAW) 12.80 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 10.77
Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 18.50 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 17.73
Heat 5: Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.73 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 10.93
Heat 6: Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 15.00 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.93
Heat 7: Yadin Nicol (AUS) 16.10 def. Heitor Alves (BRA) 8.24
Heat 8: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 14.63 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 12.33

RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL REMAINING ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 9: Brett Simpson (USA) vs. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 10: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 11: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 12: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)