In 1996, when the first QS event in Argentine history took place, Martín Passeri was there. This Tuesday, when the trumpet sounds for his series at the Rip Curl Pro Argentina, the five-time Argentine champion will also be there, 23 years older but with the same drive, the same talent and better surfing.

He is the only one who was in absolutely all the world circuit tournaments that were held in Mar del Plata.

With event 13 starting in a few days, Passeri comments in the following paragraphs on something of this story that he has had to live and write about.You are the only surfer who has competed in all 12 QSs held in Argentina. What comment can you make about that?
The desire never ceased, to learn, to compete, to feel that adrenaline and always demand the best form of myself.

There was a first phase of QSs in the Argentine summer and a second one during Easter, how do you see each group of championships?
The first stages were much bigger and more important because there were a lot more points and money at stake. But this stage is good for all the kids who are thinking of competing!

For those who are doing the tour like Lele, Santi, Nacho, Tommy López or Cuchi, these events would be very good, as they would be equivalent to a 6000 today.

There must have been a good moment that left its mark on you in one of those 13 tournaments. Which one was it? And why?
Definitely reaching the quarter-finals (in January 1999) with that celebration with my brother and my father, for something that 20 years ago was unthinkable. Those were so many points that if I had been able to go to Hawaii that year I would have been in the top 100.

Watching all those people shouting my passage from the eighth to the quarterfinals with the last wave was something that is not easily matched.

There must have been a bad moment that left its mark on you in one of those 13 tournaments. Which one was it? And why?
There was no bad thing, because when things don't go your way, they generate a great awareness and growth. It is necessary to fall, to crash against that reality because it puts you in perspective. That's why it's so nice to compete.

And now at 43 years old, how do you experience a QS?
It is always different every year. Today I see it as a privilege to be able to continue competing at this level. At first I had to face the fear of something I didn't know what it was like, a level I didn't have. At another time they were all rivals to beat and I got into their heads to overcome them. Today, keeping up and being able to compete with young and hungry athletes improves my understanding and my desire.

Who do you think is well-prepared for the championship?
I always see Lele very focused, it is his goal to be the first to win this and he can achieve it, especially if the championship goes to the Yacht. Then the Brazilians who come are one better than the other.

I would like to see Lucca Mesinas in the leftist Biology class… Very dangerous!

How do you see the forecast for the week and the possible scenarios of the event?
It was pathetic at the beginning of last week, but now it seems to have started to pick up. We can end up with an event on Sunday with good waves, unfortunately I don't see the awell as being solid enough for another big tournament at the Yacht.