THE BATTLE FOR THE PODIUM Mitu Monteiro didn't have an easy ride towards first place yesterday. Keahi de Aboitiz pulled out all the stops in the final combining his inimitable waveriding ability with a deluge of strapless freestyle tricks before Paulino Pereira displayed the sheer level of insanity he's capable of with a backside flat-3 in the closing minutes of the heat. Special mention goes to 18 year old Aussie James Storm Carew who pushed past some big names to clinch fourth place, impressing the judges with his powerful surf-influenced style in the waves.
