2003 Nova Schin Festival

"I'm so happy because I've surfed against Occy a couple of times before and lost," said Nunes. "This is my first win against him. I'm trying so hard to re-qualify for next year's WCT, but this is a very big contest for me.

"I learned on the WCT it's very important to start the heat with a good wave," he added, of his opening ride. "I was very happy to get that wave and win." Shane Powell (Avoca, Aus) collected the best scores of the day to eliminate local hero and event license holder Flavio Padaratz. The Australian opened with an 8.83 lefthander, and then sealed victory with another 7.83 ride. Despite losing, Padaratz was still swarmed by adoring fans as he made his way up the beach.

Taylor Knox gouges one.

"To come up against any of the local Brazilian guys is hard cause of all the crowd support," reasoned Powell. "Luckily we were a long way out and I couldn't really hear them all (laughs). In these conditions anyone is tough though, as there aren't many good waves in a heat. I was lucky to get two good rides, as I needed a result and when I heard my scores I was pretty stoked."

Kalani Robb (Haw) also posted big scores to eliminate Luke Stedman (Avalon, Aus). The Hawaiian trailed for most the heat, but then came back with a 7.1 and an 8 towards the end for his round three spot against Brazilian Guilherme Herdy. The current #25 won his only WCT title in Rio back in 2000.

"I couldn't hear what I needed out there, but I just surfed as well as I could on the waves I got and hoped for the best," explained Robb. "I really love being here in Brazil. The crowd is so supportive and I look forward to coming here because of it."