Ace Buchan has cracked the top 10 twice in his career, in 2008 and 2010, but has been firmly lodged in the teens ever since. He's never been in trouble of relegation back to the Qualifying Series (QS), but apart from individual event high points, he's never threatened the World Title contenders, either.
Adrian Buchan - WSL / Damien Poullenot
After his Final in Rio, however, Ace is heading into the dream leg of the 2017 season looking poised for a breakthrough, and after some trying seasons, the 34-year-old Australian is enjoying a career renaissance, looking more switched-on than ever.
"I'm not second-guessing myself and am returning to the autopilot that serves me so well in my early career," he said. "I'm simply trusting myself, and my surfing."