The quarterfinals symmetry is riveting. Four Brazilians and four Australians will stride across the talcum-white sand of Snapper Rocks to contest the quarterfinals. It’s true that two of the match ups pit fellow countrymen against one another, but it’s impossible not to see a team sport dimension to finals day on the Quiksilver Pro. It’s Australia VS Brazil in the water and on the beach. Truancy levels at international colleges in Coolangatta will be at an all time high tomorrow as Brazil’s yellow and green army flock to the beach to beat drums, wave flags and wiggle their buts in support of their countrymen.
The fans have good reason to be confident. Filipe Toledo has been the surfer of the event thus far. His inverted, club sandwich in round four was otherworldly and his rail game has matured enough to make him occasionally look like a mini Parko. The Australian surfers will happily agree. When Tracks asked Taj who had been inspiring him, he didn’t hesitate to answer emphatically, “Felipe”.
The Brazilians also have an Us vs. the Rest of the world mindset that drives them. They are naturally more of a unit than the four Australians. They feed off each other’s energy, give each other tips and hang together at the competitor’s area. They are more like a Tour de France cycle team that will support the strongest surfer to victory and if one drops off there is another to step in. Wily Adriano De Souza is always a threat and, although he is part of team Brazil, he is bitter that Gabriel robbed him of his supposed destiny to be Brazil’s first champ. This only serves to drive him further. Filipe’s form is frightening but can he maintain it? Miguel and Wiggolly are the outsiders but as Wiggolly pointed out, Gabriel changed everything for goofies in the modern era at Snapper by wining the Quiksilver pro last year.
As for the Australians, Bede Durbidge, was happy to weigh into the Australia vs. Brazil dynamic. “We’re on Australian turf, and we’ve got to do our country proud and hopefully everyone comes down and supports us,” stated the broad-shouldered Queensland buck after over-powering Jordy Smith in the big man’s round five heat.
On an individual level it’s great to see Bede back in form. The odd couple match up with Felipe in the quarters will be intriguing. “I’ll stick to my strengths, try and get the best waves and throw some power turns,” insisted the bespeckled Bede. “But, yeah if an air section presents itself, I’ll take it.” Earlier in the day Bede had proved he has the capacity to put his massive wingspan to use by landing a solid air reverse.
Taj, a treble winner of the Quiksilver Pro, still has the speed and flair to ride Snapper like a skimming stone. Going toe to toe with Julian in the quarters will be like competing against a younger, stronger, more powerful but paradoxically, slightly slower version of himself. Jules is carrying his momentum from last year’s triple-crown victory. More mature, relaxed and self aware this is his moment to become part of the world title conversation.
Mick Fanning remains the hardest surfer to beat on tour. Air sections do not always present themselves and completion rates in contests are questionable. Mick needs little more than a whiff of wall to knife his rail and whip his tail. Adriano will take flight and Fanning will rely on superior wave knowledge at Snapper to cut him down with his DHD blade.
The finals day battle between the Australians and the boys from Brazil is set to be a compelling bi-national clash. It will be green and gold or yellow, green and blue on the podium. Bring on the promised swell, the Brazilian choir in g-string minus, the aerial hi-jinx, the power carves and the ‘Come On Aussie’. We’ve all waited a long time for the fire works.
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Match-Ups
QF 1: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)
QF 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Taj Burrow (AUS)
QF 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA)
QF 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Bede Durbidge (AUS)
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