Miguel Pupo, backside swerve at Snapper, Gold Coast

It came down to the wire in Miguel Pupo’s round one heat at the Quiksilver Pro, Snapper Rocks yesterday afternoon. Under a rain squall, Miguel swerved his way down the line at Snapper to beat Patty Gudauskas and Jordy Smith with a 6.43 and a 5.57 – relatively low-scoring waves for the day’s average heat-winners. But sometimes to win a world tour heat, the best was is to do exactly what you need to do, at the right time: “I knew I was needing just a 5.5, so I knew I had to just do a couple of good turns,” says Miguel. “And, I did it, I found the wave, so I was pretty happy with that. Snapper is such a good wave. I mean, I’m a goofy, so… I’m backside out there, but I still love it ’cause the wave’s so good. And, hopefully tomorrow it’ll just get better. “

So, after a good start to the year, what’s on the cards for Miguel in 2012? After being such a star of the qualifying series, Miguel feels that it’s time to move away and concentrate on the big leagues: “It’s all about the tour (this year),” he continues. “I’ve had three wins on the QS, but I think I’ve had enough of it. I need to find my feet on the CT, so… now, I’m CT-focused.” Focus. The key factor in the Brazilian contingent on tour. Expect them.