Here's the scenario: the world's best surfers have descended upon the tiny country of Tahiti They arrived with fire in their eyes and a little vomit in their throats while contemplating the massive board gobbling reef break called Teahupoo, site of the Billabong Pro.

Days have gone by and the frenetic energy has built to a fever pitch over beer and chess games as the surf lies dormant. Meanwhile, Slater sits on an insane two wins in the previous two contests. Fanning wants nothing more than to defend his 2007 championship title. Irons looks for redemption in the gnarly nastiness in which he is most comfortable, and the surf media sits idly, hungering for some reef rash and ripping.