GOLD COAST NEWS: PARKO TABBED TO WIN IT ALL

WHEN the Superbank is pumping you won’t see Joel Parkinson — but not because he won’t be there.

He will be the one tucked deep inside the tube getting the best barrels of the day.

With the swell expected to hit the 2m mark at Snapper Rocks this weekend, the Quiksilver Pro is set to resume and Coolangatta local Parkinson is tipped to fire.

The world No.4 has shortened to second favourite in the betting behind world champion and fellow Coolangatta Kid Mick Fanning to take out the opening World Tour contest of the year at his home break.

Parkinson is a strong $1.20 favourite to defeat Hawaiian Roy Powers ($4.20) when round three of the Quiksilver Pro resumes.

The two-time world junior champion said he tried not to think about his status as an event favourite and was focusing on keeping a level head.

“I just go about my business as I do,” said Parkinson, who has a 75 per cent round-three career win rate.

“I didn’t really feel like I was at 100 per cent during (round one) but I got the result I wanted.

“I surprised myself. I was really calm. I didn’t seem to have the jitters that I had every other year.

“I felt really good, my pre-season training has been a lot better than previous years so I guess that is why I didn’t have any nerves.”

Parkinson has finished runner-up for the world title twice, in 2002 and 2004, and remained in contention last year right up until the third last event of the season in Spain.

Many believe that 2008 will finally be Parkinson’s year, spurred on by the triumph of good mate Fanning.

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