Official ASP News
TIAGO PIRES LEADS EUROPEAN CHARGE ON THE 2007 WQS!
Interview of the current WQS leader after Event # 16
Age : 27 years old
Lives in : Ericeira
Sponsors : Billabong, Von Zipper, Kustom, Nixon, Redbull, TMN mobile, Pukas, Ericeira Surf Shop, Da Kine.
After several months of top competiton around the world, it was time to give our best european on the WQS a little interview. Since his second place at the 6 Star Prime WQS in Margaret River, Tiago Pires has been the man to beat and still leads the World Qualifying Series with 9175 points. Closely followed by young guns and rising stars of the 2007 tour Jordy Smith (Zaf) and Dane Reynolds (Usa), the portuguese leader remains in very good position before the 5 Star Prime Maldives WQS event. Here is an interview of the best european chance to join Jérémy Flores on next year’s Foster’s ASP World Tour.
1. Your results have been really good. Can you tell me about the best moments of this year so far?
The best moment was defenetly the final in Margaret River last March in Australia. That contest has always been part of my black list and to reach the final was something I never expected! Just thrilling!
2. What has been your training ? Have you changed your preparation?
I've been having different moments of training troughout the year. I started the year really loose , and I was just surfing and having fun. I went to Morocco twice and had a really good time surfing really long pointbreaks, I think I was just relaxing and thinking about my surfing at other levels. Then I went to Brazil and Australia and didn't had that much time to train, and after Australia I've been going to the gym quite a lot, waking up early every day and trying to make the most of my days. Right now I'm in a intensive Gym program, I train in the morning every day and surf in the afternoon. I want to get fit for the summer leg coming up.
3. Do you think europeans have got to a turning point?
I think things are changing slowly as it was expected. Miky and Jeremy have been helping to break that lack of confidence towards the WCT and the rest of the europeans are starting to believe more and more. As I said, to me this is part of a process that the other continents already passed trough a long time ago.I believe we'll have more and more europeans on the top from now on.
4. The number of major events is growing this year. Is it good or more difficult ?
It's gonna make the cut off higher that's for sure! I think that it will be a bit more difficult as you won't be able to know if you qualify or not ‘till the very last month of the year, but on the other side you'll have more contests and more opportunities to succeed , so I guess it's pretty even!
5. What about the pressure of being WQS leader on events? Do you feel surfers are different?
I feel like I’m the person every one wants to beat, or the one everybody wants to see loosing first. It's still a good feeling anyways, but I think it can be dangerous too in terms of messing your mind up. Just have to remain focused!
6. Can you tell me about your followers, Jordy Smith, Dane Reynolds?
Two of the best surfers in the world, kids that have a big amount of raw talent, have been trained to be the best differently but they both have been really well took care of by their sponsors. They are going to be really fun to watch wherever they are because they have the whole repertoire! It's gonna be a great year to watch.
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