2003 Nova Schin Festival

"It feels good to have made the final," said Fanning. "I'm a little frustrated right now, as I thought if I could just get a good wave I could have done something. I was really tired... but that's just the way it goes. I'm stoked to have come back to Brazil and made another final, but sick of getting second here (laughs). I'd just like to thank all the Brazilian people. They've been incredible and just made my trip so enjoyable. Obrigado.

Mick Fanning

"I'm pretty psyched for Hawaii," he added. "But right now I'm going to have a beer with the boys."

Equal third were Taylor Knox (CA, USA) and Brazilian wildcard Renan Rocha - both collecting US$10,000. Knox was stopped by an in-form Fanning, who left the Californian searching for a combination of rides worth 16.95-points. His third semifinal finish of the year cemented his current #7 position.

"That heat went so badly for me it's funny and I'm not even mad about it," said Knox. "I gave him a good wave at the beginning and he was in rhythm and I never got in it. I'm kind of surprised I did so well in this event since the airlines broke some of my boards on the way over and I never felt like I had the right equipment.

"He's actually going to buy me a business-class seat home because of that," he added of Slater's pledge, following Irons elimination to Knox. "Off to Hawaii next, so the tour goes on."

Rocha, a seasoned WCT campaigner who fell off the elite ranks last year, continued his great run past fellow countryman Peterson Rosa this morning and then Kieren Perrow (Bryon Bay, Aus) in the quarters. Against Slater his tactics of catching lefts resulted in some great rides, but unfortunately didn't match the scores of his opponent. Nonetheless, he carried the pride of the massive crowd furthest and did them extremely proud.

"Kelly's the best surfer in the world, as everyone knows," began Rocha. "I was looking for the lefts to get some nice waves and try to get the big scores. It was just so unbelievable to be out there with this crowd. I'm so stoked to feel something like that, with the public sending me such good vibes. I can't forget this."

Beau Emerton

Finishing equal fifth in the Nova Schin Festival WCT Brasil were Richie Lovett (Manly, Aus), reigning world champion Andy Irons (Kauai, Haw), Lee Winkler (Coff's Harbour, Aus) and Perrow.

Irons was stopped by Knox in a close quarterfinal clash and showed the frustration afterward by leaving the beach immediately with hopes of catching a flight home. Nonetheless, he retained his runner-up position on the current ratings heading into the final two events in Hawaii.

For Winkler, the result marked his best of the season and moved into 31st position on the ratings as he strives to ensure his re-qualification for next year's tour. Against Slater he rose to the occasion with some great rides, but his opponent turned on the magic with the top scores of the event.

"It was good to get this far, but of course I had to draw someone like him," reasoned Winkler. "At J-Bay (SAfr) he got a 10 and a 9.5 against me, so I wasn't expecting any less and he went out there and did the same thing pretty much. He waxed me, but it was a good experience and I'm not so over-awed by him anymore. It wasn't my day out there though, it was his."

The WCT now heads to Hawaii for the final two men's events of the year. First is the Rip Curl Cup at Sunset Beach (Nov 24 - Dec 7) and then the 2003 season reaches its climax during the Xbox Pipeline Masters (Dec 8-20).

Nova Schin Festival WCT Brasil 2003

• 1st Kelly Slater (USA) 16.37 - US$30,000
• 2nd Mick Fanning (Aus) 16.1 - US$16,000

Semifinals (1st>Final; 2nd=3rd receives US$10,000)

• SF1: Mick Fanning (Aus) 16.94 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 11.07
• SF2: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.5 def. Renan Rocha (Brz) 13.57

Quarterfinals (1st>Semifinals; 2nd=5th receives US$8,000)

• QF1: Mick Fanning (Aus) 17.5 def. Richie Lovett (Aus) 15.37
• QF2: Taylor Knox (USA) 13.17 def. Andy Irons (Haw) 12.1
• QF3: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.67 def. Lee Winkler (Aus) 12.0
• QF4: Renan Rocha (Brz) 13.5 def. Kieren Perrow (Aus) 5.44

Round Four (1st>Quarterfinals; 2nd=9th receives US$5,000)

• H1: Mick Fanning (Aus) 16.83 def. Jake Paterson (Aus) 12.84
• H2: Richie Lovett (Aus) 14.43 def. Joel Parkinson (Aus) 13.44
• H3: Taylor Knox (USA) 14.0 def. Beau Emerton (Aus) 10.7
• H4: Andy Irons (Haw) 16.6 def. Trent Munro (Aus) 12.5
• H5: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.43 def. Kalani Robb (Haw) 15.0
• H6: Lee Winkler (Aus) 11.67 def. Michael Lowe (Aus) 7.17
• H7: Renan Rocha (Brz) 13.67 def. Peterson Rosa (Brz) 12.33
• H8: Kieren Perrow (Aus) 13.4 def. Shea Lopez (USA) 11.67