The absolute epitome of technique and finesse as the star of the opening round of the Fiji Pro, Michel Bourez reverted to more familiar territory Tuesday, out-muscling Mick Fanning in shifting, tricky conditions at Cloudbreak. Drawing the first heat of the morning can lead to a multitude of things on the Championship Tour. Often the opportunity to surf in calm early morning conditions is muted by the judges looking to establish a balanced scale for the day. As the first pulses of a building but broken up swell pushed through, Bourez repeatedly dropped backside hammers from the opening hooter to put Fanning under pressure, and squeezed the life out an important heat for both surfers.
