Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay treated the world’s best surfers to an epic day of pumping waves on Monday 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 10.30am in pristine conditions and a rising swell, with set waves reaching heights of three metres.
Filipe Toledo of Brazil was the day’s top performer and stormed his way to victory in Round 2 over Kanoa Igarashi (US) 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 (US) 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 No3 on the Jeep Leaderboard Owen Wright of Australia took on countryman and 2017 WSL Rookie Ethan Ewing 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.’
Australia’s Julian Wilson took on compatriot Josh Kerr 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 (Hawaii) and 2017 WSL rookie Leonardo Fioravanti (Italy). 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’m 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 (Brazil) will take on Joan Duru of France 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.
Picture of Toledo courtesy of WSL/Tostee