Kelly Slater is just one heat win away from claiming his ninth world surfing title after making a successful start to the Billabong Pro Mundaka.
Slater progressed straight to round three after posting a 16.33 to easily account for fellow American Taylor Knox (6.16) and Brit Reubyn Ash (3.50) in his opening heat today.
Slater's heat total was the second highest of the day and the only way he can be denied another crown is if he fails to advance past round three and Australia's world No.2 Taj Burrow wins the event.
Slater came extremely close to clinching the title in France last week when he lost the final to Australian Adrian Buchan and the American admitted the tension was taking its toll.
"I just want to try to win one more heat and get it done," he said.
While Slater seems squarely focused on the next heat, Burrow has his eyes on the Billabong Pro Mundaka title.
Burrow top-scored today with a 16.34 heat total.
"I just want to win an event and this one would be great," Burrow said.
"It seems like there is a lack of motivation from everyone on tour. People are going home, they're over it.
"It just feels like it is over with Kelly wrapping up the title. I'm just trying to capitalise on that and win these things."
Results today from round-one heats at the Billabong Pro Mundaka:
Heat 1: Heitor Alves (BRA) 12.70, Aritz Aranburu (Esp) 10.83, Kai Otton (AUS) 9.00
Heat 2: Mick Campbell (AUS) 13.17, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 10.93, Ricky Basnett (RSA) 8.37
Heat 3: Nic Muscroft (AUS) 16.00, Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 12.00, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 10.00
Heat 4: Roy Powers (HAW) 10.00, CJ Hobgood (USA) 8.93, Manoa Drollet (Tah) 5.03
Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) 14.84, Ben Dunn (AUS) 14.00, Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 8.50
Heat 6: Eneko Acero (Esp) 13.16, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.27, Jordy Smith (RSA) 10.93
Heat 7: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.60, Tim Reyes (USA) 10.66, Hodei Collazo (Esp) 5.33
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.33, Taylor Knox (USA) 6.16, Reubyn Ash (GBR) 3.50
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.34, Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.00, Marco San Segundo (Esp) 11.27
Heat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 15.00, Txaber Trojaola (Esp) 12.50, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 6.43
Heat 11: Daniel Ross (AUS) 15.00, Luke Stedman (AUS) 14.17, Jay Thompson (AUS) 8.00
Heat 12: Jihad Khodr (BRA) 12.56, Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 11.94, Chris Ward (USA) 10.76
Heat 13: Mikael Picon (FRA) 15.00, Leonardo Neves (BRA) 14.34, Dayyan Neve (AUS) 13.67
Heat 14: Tiago Pires (Por) 12.67, Dane Reynolds (USA) 12.40, Travis Logie (RSA) 5.87
Heat 15: Daniel Wills (AUS) 14.83, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 10.00, Ben Bourgeois (USA) 6.60
Heat 16: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 11.00, Luke Munro (AUS) 8.23, Royden Bryson (RSA) 7.10
