Photos of 2011 Rip Curl Pro Portugal

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Brett Simpson (AUS) produced mixed back or barrel rides and off the lip manoeuvers. ASP/ Kirstin

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Bede Durbidge (AUS) found a few barrel but suffered a disappointing third place finish. ASP/ Kirstin

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BEde Durbidge (AUS) placed third during round one. ASP/ Kirstin

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Mick Fanning (AUS) spent the afternoon on the surfers deck watching heats and preparing for the second last heat of the day. ASP/ Kirstin

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Bede Durbidge (AUS) off to work. ASP/ Kirstin

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The anticipated swell arrive providing great conditions for the opening day of competition. ASP/ Kirstin

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When Kelly Slater (USA) talks, everyone listens. ASP/ Kirstin

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Owen Wright (AUS) made the most of one of the slower heats of the day to advance in first place. ASP/ Kirstin

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Owen Wright (AUS) advanced ahead of Patrick Gudauskas (USA) and Justin Mujica (PRT). ASP/ Kirstin

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Pat Gudauskas (USA) placed second during round 1. ASP/ Kirstin

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Preheat focus for Owen Wright (AUS). ASP/Cestari

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Migual Pupo head butted his surfboard during his heat, apart from a big egg lump and a pack of ice he is ok. ASP/Cestari

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Jordy Smith (RSA) is happy to be competing again. ASP/Cestari

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Adam Melling (AUS) keeps the crowd entertained despite a third place finish. ASP/ Kirstin

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Jadson Andre (BRA) placed runner-up to Joel Parkinson during round 1, threading his way cleanly through few lefthanders. ASP/ Kirstin

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And now for what we've all been waiting for... the Sardine Suit! ASP/ Kirstin

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Owen Wright (AUS) enjoys airs but will be hunting the tubes when Supertubos turns on. ASP/Cestari

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Matt Wilkinson (AUS) won the expression sessions best maneuver. ASP/Cestari

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This is what the surfers see when they look back and hear thousands of fans cheering them on. ASP/Cestari

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The surfers and judges have the best aerial view while the spectators can get right up on the shoreline. ASP/Cestari

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Wildcard Francisco Alves (PRT) will surf in Round 2 after placing 2nd in his heat. ASP/Cestari

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Kelly Slater (USA) always has the crowd cheering for him but with deep sandy barrels and rides all the way to the beach the cheers were even louder. ASP/Cestari

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Bruno Santos (BRA) thrilled the crowds and will be doing so again in Round 2. ASP/Cestari

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Jordy Smith (RSA) found a number of barrels but couldn't make it out thanks to the backwash and will be hoping to make it out of Round 2. ASP/Cestari

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Travis Logie (RSA) stuck with the lefts and was left stuck in 3rd place. ASP/Cestari

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Chris Davidson found all the right waves to defeat Jordy Smith in Round 1. ASP/Cestari

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Damien Hobgood (USA) snapped his board on this wave, went in for a replacement then came back out and won the heat. ASP/Cestari

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The moment Gabriel Medina (BRA) got to his feet the crowd roared to life cheering him on in victory. ASP/Cestari

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Less than 1 point seperated Kieren Perrow (AUS) from his 2nd place and first. ASP/Cestari

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Matt Wilkinson (AUS) has the power of the sardines with him and goes through to Round 3. ASP/Cestari

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If you received points for crowd cheers Tiago Pires (PRT) wouldn't have to paddle out in Portugal, clearly the crowd favorite they will be happy to see him surf again even if it is in Round 2. ASP/Cestari

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When he first paddled out Bede Durbidge (AUS) looked back at the thousands of fans with in stones throw of the barrels he was about to ride. ASP/Cestari

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There are barrels and there are ramps and Pat Gudauskas (USA) is bordering on over amp. ASP/Cestari

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2009 Rip Curl Pro Search Portugal champion Mick Fanning (AUS). Could this be his year? ASP/ Kirstin

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Jordy Smith took a line ball decision against local surfer Adam Robertson

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Owen Wright (AUS) advanced into round 3 over wildcard Gabriel Medina (BRA).

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Owen Wright (AUS) was one of the few goofy footers to master the racy Wikipop waves advancing into round 3.

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Adam Robertson (AUS) tucks into a rare barrel ride at Winkipop during round 2.

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Jordy Smith (RSA) advanced into round 3.

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Jordy Smith (RSA) obliterates a Winkipop wall.

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Jordy Smith full of confidence before his massive heat against Adam Robertson

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Adam Robertson was defeated in a tight heat with Jordy Smith

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Local standout Adam Robertson (AUS) surfs Winkipop pretty much better than anyone else but unfortunately was defeated by Jordy Smith during round 2.

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Julian Wilson (Aus) didn't hide his disappointment after he was defeated during round 1.

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Jadson Andre (BRA) figuring out which board to ride.

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With the women's round 2 heats beginning, the men run off to a early free surf at winkipop

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The morning kicks off with the women's round 2.

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Julian Wilson checking Winki for the early surf.

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Pat Gudauskas won the final heat of round one

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Chris Davidson surfed explosively although placed second to Adriano De Souza.

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Adriano De Souza advancing through his round to score him a spot in round three.

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Joel Parkinson flew through his round with the highest score of the day.

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Dusty Payne place second in his heat.

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Kelly Slater (USA) posted a 16.00 heat total to advance into round 3.

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Wildcard Adam Robertson (AUS) placed third during round 1.

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Kelly Slater (USA) posted the highest single wave score of round 1 a near perfect 9.00 ride to advance directly into round 3,

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Mick Fanning was a biig scoring opening round heat winner

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Wildcard Stuart Kennedy (AUS) posted a solid round 1heat win over Dusty Payne (HAW) and Jordy Smith (RSA).

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Jordy Smith (RSA) placed third during round 1.

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Tiago Pires (PRT) advanced in second place during round 1.

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Heitor Alves (BRA) narrowly advanced ahead of Bobby Martinez (USA) during round 1.

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Alejo Muniz winning the first heat of the 2011 Rip Curl Pro

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Excellent conditions at Bells Beach

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Bells Beach

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Bells Beach

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A becalmed Bells Beach.