Mick Fanning, Billabong Pro, Tahiti

As it’s proved so many times in the past, Chopes has been a stumbling block for world title hopes. Jordy and Taj were both gone before the end of round three, leaving Kelly, Dane and Adriano as the remaining top five surfers. Hovering just outside the contender’s bubble is Mick Fanning at sixth. Surfing’s most consistent performer in recent times will look to tighten the screws on his less experienced opponents as the tour rounds the home straight. Both Dane and Adriano have far from impeccable records when the cogs begin to grind. “It’s still early days. I’m holding a couple throwaways already this season so I need to start looking at putting in results. It’s not all that different to last season really. Anyone can get on a roll at any time and put a few events away. I just need to stay focused on each heat and surf my best,” he said. As for Kelly, well, let’s just say if you dropped ten on ten in 2010 at the start of the year, you’re cheeks are gonna be feeling pretty rosy right about now. – Jed Smith