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JORDY SMITH TAKES OUT THE BILLABONG PRO JBAY ON MADIBA'S BIRTHDAY18/07/10 - 12:05:20PM ~ By Admin ~ |
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Jordy Smith became the first South African to win a WCT event since the elite tour was introduced almost two decades ago. He now comfortably leads the world ratings, and the question of the world title has gone from speculation to the main talk of the tower. Smith looked set for a semi-final exit in this year’s Billabong Pro, when he drew Bede Burbidge and let the Australian run away with the lead. The Durbanite was comboed with less than four minutes remaining in what turned out to be the most exciting heat of the year. A smaller tactical wave that zipped along inside (called onto by his crew of faithful spotters) allowed him to string together a few moves and huge superman. As the chess game unfolded, Bede kept Jordy off the next few bankable waves, by taking off and kicking out on the first wave of the set, and then surfing the second wave down the point. But Jordy scrambled back into position and - with just 30 seconds left on the clock - blasted the closing wave to secure his second final of the year. There was no need for the spotters in the final, as Jordy oozed confidence. His surfing was fast, precise, tack sharp, and powerful. It was the Jordan Smith show from start to finish, bagging an 8.9 and a 9.03 before the ten minute mark had even been reached. The SA connection ran strong through the final, with Australian point break specialist Adam Melling coached and mentored by two-time semi-finalist Greg Emslie on beach. Sean Holmes cemented his reputation as the ASP's biggest wildcard spoiler. Sean took out previous WCT winner Jadson Andre, nine times world champ Kelly Slater, and three times world champ Andy Irons before losing to Durbidge. Holmes was surfing with an injured back, but what he lacked in fitness this year he made up for contest acumen that he hasn't shown in the past. As the ASP heavyweights found out, "beware the wounded surfer". Patriotrism was at an all time high on Madiba’s 92nd birthday, with SA flags, vuvuzelas and goosebump support from a huge partisan local crowd. Jordy bagged $50000 for the win.
Jordy's march to victory: Round 1
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