The massive tidal swings in the Bay of Biscay make for a challenging playing field at venues like La Gravière, home of Quiksilver Pro France. In these parts, the lineup you mapped out 10 minutes ago will not be there in five, as the water moving on and off the sandbars keeps the takeoff spots ever-changing. Jordy Smith understands all that, but local wildcard Marc Lacomare has an even more intimate knowledge of La Gravière. The two played a brutal game of cat and mouse with the elusive sets.
In the end, Jordy remained rather wave starved, while Lacomare took advantage of the sets, and eliminated the current World No. 1. While Smith hit the beach frustrated and upset, by the time he took to the microphone for his post-heat interview he'd already embraced the pain and moved on.