South Africa’s Jordy Smith won the Ballito Pro pres. by Billabong in front of a packed beach of partisan spectators on Saturday, defeating powerful Brazilian Willian Cardoso in a pulsating final to add the 2017 event title to his previous victory in 2010.
The big South African overcame a stomach bug that almost derailed his charge in mid-week to reach the final of the first World Surf League (WSL) QS10,000 rated event of the year, where he used his trademark repertoire of aerial manoeuvres to post an impressive heat total 18.06, including a near-perfect 9.73.
‘I had a bit of a slow start, but I ended up sticking that first air and from there I was actually enjoying my surf out there and just taking my time as the waves came through,’ said Smith. ‘Eventually I got that one wave with a nice section and got one of the biggest ramps all week and just went for it and I landed it.
‘I’m really happy with my performance this week and hopefully I can take this momentum to J-Bay. Willian is a tenacious competitor, as all the Brazilians are. He’s one of the most powerful surfers in the world and we’re both bigger guys, so we were matching fire with fire.
‘It’s such an honour winning this event with so many of my friends and family here. Thanks so much to everyone who’s come down to the event, your support makes a huge difference for us local surfers.’
His haul of 10,000 points sees Smith jump straight into fifth position on the QS rankings along with a massive boost of confidence as he heads to Jeffreys Bay for Stop No 6 of 11 on the WSL Championship Tour (CT), starting on Wednesday where he is a former two-time event winner (2010 and 2011).
Crowd favourite Michael February of South Africa had an incredible run through the event, posting his career-best result on his way to third place after suffering a narrow loss to Smith in their all-South African semi-final encounter.
The Capetonian matched Smith ride-for-ride in the early stages before the heat burst into life in the last five minutes with a flurry of rides that saw Smith nail down his berth in the final with back-to back excellent rides that February could not equal as time ran out.
‘When you surf against Jordy you’ve got to be at your best, he’s so good, and it was pretty cool to watch him from the water,’ said February. ‘It’s awesome to surf against him because he is such an amazing surfer. And to have a heat against him at this stage of the contest is really good for me. At the end of the contest you’re always going to surf against the best in the world, and Jordy is definitely one of them.
‘It boosts my confidence so much making semis in a 10 000 and I’m looking forward to keeping the positive vibes going, taking everything I learned from this event and just keep it going. It gets pretty busy now, it’s the US Open and after that the European leg, so that’s my focus now, and then Hawaii. I had some nice words from Jordy after that heat, which was really cool from someone I look up to, it gives you that extra push.’
His third place finish saw February leapfrog from 21st to No 4 on the QS rankings, giving him a solid base from which to challenge for a place in top 10 in the year-end rankings and qualification for the elite CT.
‘Secretly I was a little bummed for Mikey February. I would have liked to be in the finals with him, but that’s just the way our sport goes,’ commented Smith on his compatriot. ‘I just wish him all the best, I really hope he brings it and joins me on the tour next year. He’s got the ability and the confidence to go all the way.’
While he was disappointed to not be able to claim the win, Cardoso was happy with his runner-up finish, which bumped him up into No 2 on the QS rankings, heading into the second half of the year.
‘I knew with Jordy it was going to be crazy in that heat and I tried to find the really good waves, but I just found one,’ said Cardoso. ‘I’m just super stoked to be in the final, it’s been about two years since I was in a final, so it’s really good to be in that position again.
‘This result puts me in a really good position, but I’ve been in this position before, so I hope to get more results in the next two primes (QS10,000 rated events) and a few 6 stars so I can go to Hawaii at the end of the year relaxed.’
Picture of victorious Smith with Cllr Ricardo Mthembu, the Mayor of Kwadukuza courtesy of WSL/Cestari