MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Supertubos Preview

On March 6, the third event of the World Surfing League will begin, where the Supertubos wave, Peniche, will be the protagonist. It seems that there will be big waves looking at the Supertubos forecast although the wind will be very strong and it may not be very clean in the first days.

Tour surfers are already feeling the pressure to pass heats as the Cut gets closer and some will be left out of the circuit after the Margaret River event.

The conditions in Portugal change from one minute to the next where choosing the favorites is not easy. But, looking at the forecast you can see that surfers who read the sea well and those who like strong waves have an advantage. In the first events in Hawaii we have selected the winners and finalists, so our picks are usually very good for WSL Fantasy. Let's go there!

MEO Rip Curl pro Portugal - Favorites and Underdogs

Supertubos is a dry wave where tubes and giant ramps take center stage. Sometimes it is an unpredictable wave since the tides and currents change constantly, therefore, surfers trained to read the sea every second will have an advantage, and above all, those who like hollow and powerful waves.

Favorites (Men):

John John Florence:

He arrives as a leader with the yellow lycra in Portugal and historically it is a place where he has done very well. It seems that there will be a lot of swell coming in and for him the more that comes in, the better. John John reads the conditions of Portugal as if he had lived there all his life. A genius.

Miguel Pupo:

Miguel is one of the most underrated surfers in the world. If the conditions are good and the lefts come out with a tube, Miguel is the rival to beat. The place where he lives in Brazil is very similar to Portugal and could do very well. Careful.

Gabriel Medina:

He has just been world champion at the ISA Games in Puerto Rico, qualifying for the French Olympics (Teahupoo). His goal was that and he has achieved it, he is a beast. He will go to Portugal very motivated after the victory. and Gabriel in Portugal is always one of the favorites to win. It has everything to succeed in this wave: Tube and aerial.

Yago Dora:

If big waves don't come in, it is our favorite to win the championship. He is the best at doing giant aerials and the wave is perfect for it. If it becomes pretty for him, it will be very difficult to beat him.

Underdogs (Men):

Joan Duru:

Joan has been invited for this championship and if there are tubes Joan is one of the best tubers in the world. He lives in Hossegor where the wave is very similar to that of Portugal. In addition, he has just qualified for the 2024 Olympics in Tahiti, he will be very motivated.

Italo Ferreira:

Although Italo's start to the year has not been the best, the Brazilian surfer is always one of the favorites in Portugal where he has already won this event. The wave suits him perfectly, with giant ramps that he loves. We will see if the forecast is with you or not.

Favorites (Women):

Molly Picklum:

She is the most complete surfer in the world and she is proving it. She is good at everything and is a step above the rest. And she knows it. It doesn't matter what conditions she enters the water in, she is always the favorite. A machine.

Caitlin Simmers:

If the lefts gain strength Simmers will be the protagonist, his backside is very very good and he demonstrated it last year by taking home the trophy. If they put tubes it is also one of the best.

Sally Fitzgibbons:

Sally is very good in these conditions with ramps. He knows how to read the waves well and even likes to do aerials. If she doesn't get too big she will be a very dangerous rival.

Bettylou Sakura Johnson:

He is in the best moment of his career and with a lot of confidence. If the left does not come out, it will be a very strong rival. If the Left gains strength it will have problems. It will depend a lot on the waves.

Underdogs (Women):

Tatiana Weston-Webb:

Tati is a very complete surfer and the Portuguese wave suits her very well. The young women have taken away her prominence but she is a fighter and will surely reach the final day with options.

Tyler Wright:

Although the year hasn't started very strong, Tyler is an incredible surfer with a lot of strength. As happens to Bettylou, if they come out right they can win the championship. If they don't come out, almost impossible. We'll see.

Good luck!