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Frenchman is leading the European charge
by George Mojo
21/03/2008:// Flores, who posted a 12.83 heat total out of possible 20 to win the thirty-minute first round decider over Hawaiian Bruce Irons and fellow European Tiago Pires, was in excellent form at Bells Beach.
Flores, who currently sits 3rd on the 2008 ASP World Tour ratings, is looking for another good result after his semifinal finish on the Gold Coast, but doesn't feel any pressure going into round three of the event.
"I was very focused on securing my first and last turns during this heat, as I know you can easily get a point more if you stand up until the shore" said Flores.
"You have to surf confidently, with solid and classic style and really make sure you finish all your turns the best you can.
"I don't have any specific goals, and I will take it heat by heat. I always make sure to get the best boards I can, because it helps my confidence a lot. I know I can beat any guy on tour, but I never forget anyone can beat me," added Flores.
Though Flores' strong start is a good indication he will not need a World Qualifying Series (WQS) result to fall back on, he has confirmed that he will attend the Mark Richards Pro held in Newcastle, Australia, after this event.
"Whatever happens here in Bells Beach, I will go to the ASP WQS 4-star in Newcastle, Australia," said Flores.
"Mark Richards is a legend and he asked me to come so I will be happy to be there before having a break at home in New Caledonia and prepare for Tahiti and Fiji."
Pires, who posted 9 points compared to Irons' 10.83, surfed well and is confident before his Round two heat against Adriano De Souza.
He is the first Portuguese surfer ever to qualify for the ASP Top 45 and he will be looking to better a frustrating last place finish in the first.
"I felt relaxed for this first heat but it was really hard to get the best waves," said Pires.
France's Miky Picon surfed against ASP World Tour veterans American Taylor Knox and Australian Micheal Campbell and finished third in the heat.
Picon, who competed among the ASP Top 45 in 2006, requalified last year for the 2008 ASP World Tour after finishing 15th on the 2007 World Qualifying Series.
Briton Russell Winter's run in the Buondi Billabong Pro in Portugal came to an abrupt end when the Cornisman finished last in his second round heat
The upcoming Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley may be the closest thing eight-time ASP World Champion and ratings leader Kelly Slater (USA) has to a home court advantage on the ASP World Tour
Home advantage saw Lee Ann Curren claim top spot in Rip Curl Pro Junior Mademoiselle at Les Bourdaines in Seignosse
The August Bank Holiday weekend saw a hive of activity at the inaugural Quiksilver Skins invitation competition, one of the most innovative contest formats to grace the circuit
Champions tell the story of their succes step by step
Four-to-six foot swell predicted for event No. 3 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour
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