Round 2 Completed in Pumping 1.5 to 2.5 Metre Waves • Kelly Slater (USA) Withdraws from Event After Free Surfing Injury
Caption: Felipe Toledo (BRA) scored the first perfect 10 point ride at the Corona Open J-Bay in Jeffreys Bay on Monday • Photo: WSL / Tostee
Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay treated the world’s best surfers to a an epic day of pumping waves with classic 1.5 to 2.5 metre walls of water peeling down the fabled point as the Corona Open J-Bay ran through Round 2 of competition.
After waiting for the wind to witch offshore, competition got underway at 10.30 in pristine conditions and a rising swell, with set waves reaching heights of three metres.
Filipe Toledo (BRA) was the day’s top performer and stormed his way to victory in Round 2 over Kanoa Igarashi (USA) with an incredible 19.63 heat total (out of a possible 20), including the first perfect 10 of the competition for a long barrel ride followed by two big turns.
“It feels good to be back surfing perfect waves at J-Bay,” Toledo said. “You just have to enjoy it out there. Our heat was definitely amazing with pumping surf non-stop. My froth level is over the moon and I get super excited to get out there and put on a good show.”
Unfortunately 11-time WSL Champion and four-time event winner Kelly Slater (USA) has been forced to withdraw from the event after injuring his foot while free surfing earlier today at the Boneyards section at the top of the point. Slater’s right foot folded under him when he wiped out in a tube, breaking three bones that will require surgery to insert pins and putting him out of action for up to three months.
Current No. 3 on the Jeep Leaderboard Owen Wright (AUS) took on 2017 WSL Rookie Ethan Ewing (AUS) in the opening heat of the day. The more experienced competitor controlled the majority of the 35 minute heat, the first head-to-head match-up for the pair, with two mid-range scores. A 7.33 with six minutes remaining put the rookie back in contention but he wasn’t able to back it up and was sent home with his sixth 25th place finish of the season.
“It feels nice to get going and get that Round 2 out of the way,” said Wright. “It was a scrappy heat but it played out to my advantage. I felt like it was going to be a slow one so I knew I needed to get going. When you don’t get the best wave of the heat it’s tough to come back.”
Julian Wilson (AUS) took on Josh Kerr (AUS) in Heat 5 of Round 2 and the pair got to work quickly. Wilson led from the start with a 7.67 on his second ride and backed it up with 6.60 to build a solid heat total. Kerr could not hunt down the 7.35 he needed and Wilson advanced to Round 3.
“It’s so enjoyable out here and it’s only going to get better” said Wilson. “It’s a beautiful day and with just one other guy and big long walls with some size on it, and barrels on the inside - that’s what everyone wants. It was really nice to have some exchanges out there and get some nice waves.”
Round 2 Heat 7 delivered a high-scoring match-up between current No. 10 on the Jeep Leaderboard Sebastian Zietz (HAW) and 2017 WSL rookie Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA). Zietz opened with an impressive 9.83 for a combination of barrels and powerful turns, but two eight-point rides from the Italian were enough to take the lead. The surfer from Hawaii continued to hunt for a back-up 6.80 but could only find a 5.93 and the rookie progressed on to Round 3.
“I am frothing right now,” said Fioravanti. “We’re in J-Bay and the waves are absolutely pumping. It’s a dream to be here and I think it’s the best waves I’ve ever surfed in my life in a heat. My goal was to try and get a big score at the start and then back it up. It was in a tough because Seabass (Zietz) is an incredible surfer so I’m stoked to make that heat. Win or lose we surfed pumping J-Bay so I’m just happy to be here.”
When competition resumes, 2015 WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) will take on Joan Duru (FRA) in Heat 1 of Round 3, which will be a repeat of the 2012 J-Bay final won by the Brazilian. South Africa’s Jordy Smith (Durban), the second seed, will be up against Fioravanti in Heat 7 of Round 3.
Event organisers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. local time to assess conditions and make the next call.
Surfline, official forecaster for the Corona Open J-Bay, are calling for:
the swell peaks on Tuesday with solid surf and moderate offshore winds. Wednesday will see a decreasing trend through the day with lighter winds. New SW to SSW swell fills in for Thursday PM and continues Friday AM before fading. Smaller surf looking likely for next weekend.
The event will be broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL App and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL's Facebook page.
For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com.
Corona Open J-Bay Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 10.67 def. Dale Staples (ZAF) 10.27
Heat 2: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 13.10 def. Michael February (ZAF) 11.67
Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS) 12.34 def. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 11.10
Heat 4: Jadson Andre (BRA) 15.80 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.20
Heat 5: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.27 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 12.53
Heat 6: Connor O’Leary (AUS) 13.40 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.10
Heat 7: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 16.63 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 15.76
Heat 8: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 19.63 def. Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 12.83
Heat 9: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 16.43 def. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 14.80
Heat 10: Joan Duru (FRA) 15.87 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.00
Heat 11: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 17.03 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 16.37
Heat 12: Frederico Morais (PRT) 15.73 def. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 14.00
Corona Open J-Bay Round 3 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Joan Duru (FRA)
Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Bede Durbidge (AUS)
Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Heat 4: Connor O’Leary (AUS) vs. Frederico Morais (PRT)
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA)
Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 7: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
Heat 8: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 9: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Heat 10: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Conner Coffin (USA)
Heat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Italo Ferreira (BRA)
Heat 12: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Jack Freestone (AUS)
The Corona Open J-Bay is the showcase event at the J-Bay Winterfest, a multi-sport and cultural festival in Jeffreys Bay from July 12-23. More details at www.jbaywinterfest.com. .
About the World Surf League
The World Surf League (WSL), formerly the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), is dedicated to celebrating the world’s best surfing on the world’s best waves through a variety of best-in-class audience platforms. The League, headquartered in Santa Monica, is a truly global sport with regional offices in Australasia, Africa, North America, South America, Hawaii, Japan and Europe.
The WSL has been championing the world's best surfing since 1976, running in excess of 180 global events across the Men's and Women's Championship Tours, the Big Wave Tour, Qualifying Series, Junior and Longboard Championships, as well as the WSL Big Wave Awards. The League possesses a deep appreciation for the sport's rich heritage while promoting progression, innovation and performance at the highest levels, and in doing so crowns the undisputed world champions in Men’s, Women’s across all divisions within the tour.
Showcasing the world's best surfing on its digital platform at WorldSurfLeague.com as well as the free WSL app, the WSL has a passionate global fan base with millions tuning in to see world-class athletes like Mick Fanning, Tyler Wright, John John Florence, Stephanie Gilmore, Gabriel Medina, Carissa Moore, Grant Baker, Kelly Slater, Adriano de Souza and more battle on the most unpredictable and dynamic field of play of any sport in the world.
Issued on behalf of:
WSL Africa
Contact: Colin Fitch – Operations Manager
Tel: 082 699 4493
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Compiled & Distributed by:
Life's a Beach Communications
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
