Injury opens a door to title

WITH a crazy, unmakeable air attempt by John John Florence in Rio bringing about injury, the men’s WSL World Championship Tour is a race of nine.

Indeed, the world title door has swung wide open.

Two-time champion, Hawaii’s Florence, is out of contention after rupturing his ACL and is recovering after successful surgery.

The big question is who will step up and take his place and become the new ratings leader and ultimately world champ?

Florence had this year’s title sewn up with two firsts and was the most progressive and innovative surfer on tour.

Trying to pick this year’s men’s champion is a bit like picking a winner at the Melbourne Cup. Florence was a sure bet and on the way to becoming the quickest champion ever. So, who’s it going to be?

The Steve Bradbury factor is in full swing with as many as nine potential champions in contention.

The top three at this stage includes Kolohe Andino. The Californian is yet to win a round with two seconds so far and a win at this week’s Jeffreys Bay event would see him

grab pole position. Following hot on the heels is arguably the fastest, most radical on tour, Filipe “Holy” Toledo, who is defending J-Bay champion and fresh from a win at the last event in Saquarema.

If Toledo successfully defends, he will soar to the lead and be hard to overtake.

In third is the South African sentimental favourite Jordy Smith, whose best result was a runner-up to Toledo in Brazil.

Is this the turning point for Smith who would become only the third South African-born world champion after Martin Potter in 1989 and Shaun Tomson in 1977?

Next cab off the rank is the “Ninja”, aka Kanoa Igarashi who won his first event at Bali.

The back five include Quiky Pro winner Italo Ferreira, Kelly Slater, notorious thoroughbred Gabriel Medina and then, sadly, Australian pair Julian Wilson and Ryan Callinan, who will need some luck.