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Tiago Pires: “Bell’s Beach is very similar to my home spot in Portugal.”

Posted on March 14, 2008 @ 2:14 PM

Photo above (from left to right): Miky Picon (FRA), Tiago Pires (PRT) and trainer Yannick Beven (FRA).

Tiago Pires (PRT), who became the first Portuguese ever to join the elite Top 45 in 2007, will soon hit the Surfcoast of Australia and get his start in the Rip Curl Pro Bell’s Beach, second stop of the 2008 ASP World Tour.

Pires, 26, who resides in Ericeira, Portugal, got his 2008 Dream Tour campaign underway as a rookie a couple of weeks ago at Snapper Rocks and had a difficult start among the world’s best surfers, losing to Leonardo Neves (PRT) in Round 2 to finish with an equal 33rd place.

Pires, who built a solid experience during a decade on the World Qualifying Series, will now get his second chance at Bell’s Beach in the state of Victoria, a righthander very similar to his home point break of Ribeira d’Ilhas where he won the ASP WQS 6 STAR Buondi Billabong Pro in 2005 and 2006.

Tiago Pires, who is one of record four Europeans on the 2008 ASP World Tour, is currently training in Bells Beach and getting ready for the Rip Curl Pro with Euroforce members Jeremy Flores (FRA), Dream Tour #3 after his semifinal in the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, and Miky Picon (FRA), former ASP European Pro Surf Tour champion and currently #17 of the ASP World Tour ratings.

Before the kick-off of the longest running professional surfing contest, Pires answered a few questions right after he landed in Melbourne, closest international airport to Australia's legendary wave of Bell’s Beach.

1. Looking back on the first event, how do you feel about your result?

I had a shocker on both my heats! I was nervous for the first heat and didn't play the game as I should have. And on my second heat I was too picky on a very inconsistent day at Snapper Rocks during full high tide, so I blew it too! There is always something positive to remember even in a loss, and I realized that even on the ASP World Tour you can sometimes surf average waves, and you cannot just expect perfect waves!

2. What about the feeling in between the Europeans?

It is really funny to share these moments in between best friends. It is the kind of thing we would dream of when we started as professional surfers, so we try to give eachother the best support we can and be there for the good as well as for the tough times. I think that's the most important thing, friendship and loyalty. Jeremy's stunning start has really motivated me to do good in the next contests...it's ON.

3. Any specific training for Bell’s Beach?

We just arrived yesterday at Bell's, and the waves are so similar to my home town of Ericeira! It's really cool to feel as good as home ! I'm gonna surf as most as I can and just get my equipment ready to go. I brought about ten boards and I'm still testing all them!

4. How do you get back in the right state of mind after a difficult start in Snapper Rocks?

It's a normal thing when you are among the best 45 in the world. You can either do good or loose to anyone, because everyone has the potential to win an event! So I guess you can lose but actually never regret anything because you always learn something and this is what keeps me going!

5. What about the 2008 Top 45 ?

I think the level is just amazing... This year’s Top 45 has an impressive variety oftalents. It is all there for a great show!

Get all the action from the Europeans of the 2008 ASP World Tour on www.aspeurope.com!

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