Australian veteran Taj Burrows says Brazilian young gun Gabriel Medina is all but "invincible" as the battle for the world surfing title heats up.
Medina heads into the eighth event on the men's tour at Trestles, California, top of the rankings after beating Kelly Slater in an epic final in Tahiti last month.
"(He) seems invincible at the moment and he's definitely the one to beat," Burrows said of the 20-year-old.
"There's a good battle at the top of the rankings."
But the Californian surf would likely bring out the best in all the competitors, Burrows predicted.
Currently No.6 on the ASP rankings, he said he'd have to produce some "head-turning manoeuvres" to outdo the field, which includes compatriots Mick Fanning (No.5) and Joel Parkinson (No.3).
For his part, Medina said his pursuit of world champion status was in Brazil's national, as well as his own personal, interest.
"It's going to be great for Brazil, it's going to be great for surfing and it's going to be great for me," Medina said.
"I think we really need a Brazilian world champion."
In the women's competition, Australian Stephanie Gilmore said the Trestles surf would be a perfect place to try out some tricky moves.
"I don't think my confidence in trying more critical stuff is that high yet," the five-time women's world champion said.
"But that's what the show is all about - it's about risking something.
"I'd love to be able to just do a Gabriel Medina and do three airs in one wave. I'm still working on it."
World No.4 Gilmore heads into the event ranked behind fellow Australians Tyler Wright (No.3) and Sally Fitzgibbons (No.2).
Hawaiian Carissa Moore holds the top spot.
Forecasters are predicting excellent swell for the first few days of competition and slow easing surf for the final days.
The event at Lower Trestles runs from September 9-20.
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