The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast is scheduled to get underway at Snapper Rocks in Australia this weekend, marking the beginning of the 2010 ASP World Tour season.
The story lines are drawn: Will Mick Fanning defend his title? Will Kelly Slater, 38, rally from last year's sixth-place showing and win his 10th world title, then finally retire? Will Joel Parkinson, who dominated the first half of last season before stumbling down the stretch, finally win his first world title?
Will Andy Irons, a three-time world champion who has returned from a one-year hiatus, find his form and contend for a fourth title?
And how high up the ratings latter will any of several promising rookies climb?
Said Slater, who perhaps experimented with his equipment a bit too much at the start of last season: "I never found myself in the right mind frame to deal with the pressure of a 10th title and find the excitement and purpose for what I was doing for more than a few heats.
