Adriano De Souza Wins the Billabong Pro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Brazilian Adriano De Souza has won the Billabong Pro, Rio at original contest site Barra Da Tijuca over Australian Taj Burrow. The win rocketed Adriano to number one on the ASP world title rankings, ahead of Joel Parkinson in second and Kelly Slater in third. “There are no words to express how I feel right now,” Adriano said. “Thanks to my manger for pushing me every day, I couldn’t have done this without him. Thanks so much to my fans, who have been on the beach supporting me from the beginning to the end and to my sponsors. I’m happy to keep the title in Brazil one more time.”

Photog Ryan Miller set up for the beach-to-podium carry, expecting it to be as celebratory as ever, especially with the passion that’d come from a Brazilian winning in Brazil. Forty large security guards formed a human chain from the competitor’s area to water’s edge. Ryan thought he was about to score the easiest beach chair photo shot ever, with the mob of fans taken outta the equation. “But when the jet ski pulled up, Adriano jumped off in knee-deep water and did a flat out sprint up the beach through the security guards,” says Ryan. “As he passed, they closed in on him and wrapped themselves around him. From start to finish it barely lasted two seconds. I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

On the podium, Taj seemed understandably stung by the second… er, second for the year. Similarly to the Quiksilver Pro, Snapper, his surfing was excellent through the event but had poor luck with waves in the final. Is the champagne-burst you see here directly into Adriano’s face a mere coincidence, or a cheeky attempt to let off a little steam?