2003 Nova Schin Festival

Dingo Morrison's Burnt Passport

October 30, 2003 (Joaquina, Florianopolis, Brasil) Brazilian wildcards today dominated the Nova Schin Festival WCT Brasil at the main site of Joaquina. Remaining round two heats of the US$250,000 ASP World Championship Tournament (WCT) were completed, with major upsets giving the thousands of spectators plenty to get excited about. With the entire Island of Florianopolis suffering a power blackout, all school children and most workers had the day off and came to enjoy the surfing action on the beautiful sunny day.

Clean 3-4 ft (1.3m) waves were on offer at the main site of Joaquina, with peak conditions allowing competitors to choose between right and lefthanders.

Dean Morrison (Gold Coast, Aus) was the day's first casualty, losing to event Trials winner Tanio Barreto. Last night Morrison and roommate Mick Fanning's hotel room caught alight after a candle fire caused the evacuation of theirs and surrounding rooms, but his misfortune continued this morning. The current ratings #9 rode a surfboard still baked in black soot and was unable to secure any high scoring rides, being forced to accept his second 33rd place result this season.

Barreto, meanwhile, used local knowledge to slightly edge out his opponent. The 24-year-old moved to Florianopolis seven years ago and acknowledged the advantage this played. He'll next face reigning world champ Andy Irons (Kauai, Haw) in round three.

"It's so good to beat him," began Barreto. "I live here and surf these waves everyday, so I'm very happy. I know Dean is a great surfer, but I'm staying at my house and am so relaxed, with all my friends here. I can't believe it, but next heat I have Andy Irons, so I need to just stay relaxed (laughs)."

Current ratings #10, #15, #16 and #17 - Danny Wills (Byron Bay, Aus), Damien Hobgood (FL, USA), 1999 world champion Mark Occhilupo (Gold Coast, Aus) and Phil MacDonald (Aus), respectively - were also eliminated from the Nova Schin Festival WCT Brasil by event wildcards.

'Occy' clinched his maiden crown in Brazil for years ago, but was stopped by former WCT surfer Marcelo Nunes this morning. The Brazilian opened his account with a good lefthander and boosted a big forehand aerial for an 8.83 and commanding lead, and ultimately left his Australian opponent requiring another ride worth 7.5-points.