Competition has been called off for Friday at the Corona Open J-Bay, Stop No. 6 of 11 on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), due to adverse winds at Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay.
"The conditions are similar to yesterday but we have some strong NW 'devil winds' that are damaging the waves," said WSL Deputy Commissioner Renato Hickel. "In addition we have onshore winds projected for lunchtime today so we've decided to call the contest off for the day. We'll be back tomorrow morning to take another look at conditions and we are expecting the winds to be more favourable."
Although the competition has not run since the competitive window opened on Wednesday, hundreds of spectators from far and wide have lined the natural amphitheatre created by the dunes to watch the world’s best surfers practising at Supertubes each day.
The Corona Open J-Bay marks the halfway point on the 2017 CT and will resume this season’s thrilling title race, with the top five athletes on the Jeep Leaderboard separated by just 600 points.
Current No. 1 on the Jeep Leaderboard Matt Wilkinson (Aus) returns to South Africa this year wearing the Jeep Leader Jersey at this event for the second season running and will match up against Jeremy Flores (FRA) and Ethan Ewing (AUS) in Round 1.
Reigning WSL Champion John John Forence (HAW) sits just 250 points behind Wilkinson and the 2016 event runner-up will meet Ian Gouveia (BRA) and wildcard Dale Staples (ZAF) in Round 1.
Two-time event winner and the sole South African on the Championship Tour Jordey Smith (Durban) is currently tied in third place on the Jeep Leaderboard. Fresh from victory at the Ballito Pro Qualifying Series 10,000 event, Smith looks in fine form and will battle Conner Coffin (USA) and wildcard Michael February (ZAF) in Round 1.
South Africans Dale Staples (St Francis Bay) and Michael February (Kommetjie) will join the WSL Top 34 as the wildcards for the event. Staples won the JBU Supertrial in June while February was rewarded for the excellent form that has seen him jump up to No. 4 on the WSL Qualifying Series rankings this year.
Two-time event winner and 2012 WSL Champion Joel Parkinson will be first to compete alongside Brazilians Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) and Miguel Pupo (BRA) in Round 1 Heat 1.
(Statement Supplied: Pic: Reigning WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW - WSL / Cestari)
