The J-Bay Open continued on Tuesday as organisers moved to complete the remaining eight heats in Round 3.in small but fun waves at Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay.
Reigning World Champion Gabriel Medina was the standout performer of the day producing an outstanding display of aerial prowess in his duel with Matt Wilkinson (AUS). The 21-year-old Brazilian took to the air above the waves with his patented aerial prowess to rack up three near-perfect scores of over nine points out of a possible 10, the best two of which netted a heat tally of 19.07 out of 20, the highest of the event to date.
"That was a pretty fun heat," said Medina. "I got a lot of waves. The year has been pretty tough for me and it feels good to make this Round 3. Now it's a no-loser round so it's more relaxed. You can choose your waves and do your thing. I just want to keep going and keep the ball rolling."
Defending event winner and former three-time world champion Mick Fanning (AUS) was another who reveled in the conditions, generating exceptional speed to carve deep rail turns that earned a pair of scores in the excellent range (over 8.00 out 10) and leaving opponent CJ Hobgood (USA) needing a near-perfect score when the heat ended.
"I knew I had to put it all together and I got a couple of 8's which settled the nerves a little," said Fanning. "But still, C.J. (Hobgood), he's a World Champion, he's a hero of mine and he never gives up. That's what I love about him. I still had to keep my head on the whole way through."
11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) is the most successful surfer at Jeffreys Bay with four CT wins and used his experience and wave knowledge to deliver smooth, powerful surfing that was too much for Kolohe Andino (USA) match.
"J-Bay is one of those waves you grow up wishing you could surf," said Slater. "I just have great memories here and it's a really fun place. This morning was tough, that first heat with Parko (Joel Parkinson) and Wiggolly (Dantas), I would have been scared to be in that heat. The conditions are alright now, there's just few waves but the swell is dying."
By all progressing to Round 4, Medina, Fanning and Slater have set up an all-star match-up when competition resumes with the trio owning 15 World Titles and seven J-Bay Open wins between them.
Jeep ratings leader Adriano de Souza (BRA) took on wildcard Dane Reynolds (USA) and both surfers kept busy through the heat but De Souza netted a heat high 7.00 and left the former World No. 4 searching for a 6.21. The J-Bay Open marks the third CT appearance of the year for Reynolds and he was eliminated in 13th place while De Souza moved through to Round 4.
"Every day is different and you have to prepare yourself for any kind of conditions," De Souza said. "I wanted to compete yesterday in amazing conditions but I surfed early this morning just to try it out. I realized the sets were slow and I would have to try to put pressure on him (Reynolds), so that's what I did and it worked. I hope I walk away with a good result, that's what I'm looking for here."
The other four heats completed today all produced upsets as Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) overcame former two-time event winner and 2012 World Champion, Joel Parkinson (AUS); Hawaiian rookie Keanu Asing ousted World No. 8 Josh Kerr (AUS); Michel Bourez (PYF) returned from injury to eliminate Bede Durbidge (AUS) and injury replacement Alejo Muniz, winner of the Ballito Pro QS 10,000 last week, rode the best wave of the day to earn a 9.80 and sideline current world No. 2 and fellow Brazilian Filipe Toledo.
Organisers will reconvene on Wednesday morning to make the call on when to recommence competition.
J-Bay Open Round 3 Results:
Heat 5: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 15.13 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.40
Heat 6: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.17 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 11.90
Heat 7: Mick Fanning (AUS) 17.50 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 13.83
Heat 8: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 19.07 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 16.07
Heat 9: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.16 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.27
Heat 10: Keanu Asing (HAW) 14.83 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 12.33
Heat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.67 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.67 (Bourez won on count back to the best single ride)
Heat 12: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 17.83 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.23
J-Bay Open Round 4 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Adrian Buchan (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS), Julian Wilson (AUS)
Heat 2: Nat Young (USA), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS), Gabriel Medina (BRA), Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 4: Keanu Asing (HAW), Michel Bourez (PYF), Alejo Muniz (BRA)
(Statement, results and Pics supplied)
