Toledo leads way in J-Bay
Remaining 10 heats of Open Round 2 finish in flawless surf as waves pump all day
THE remaining 10 heats of Round 2 in the Corona Open J-Bay were surfed in excellent conditions at Supetubes with a series of thrilling matchup battles to avoid early elimination yesterday.
The J-Bay Open is stop No 6 onthis year’s World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour.
Brazilian Filipe Toledo was the day’s top performer and stormed his way to victory over Kanoa Igarashi, of the US.
An incredible 19.63 heat total (out of a possible 20) secured a Round-3 berth for Toledo, who claimed the first perfect 10 of the competition with a long barrel-ride, followed by two huge turns.
With 10 minutes remaining, Igarashi found a long tube ride of his own for a 7.33, but could not escape elimination.
“It feels good to be back, especially surfing perfect waves at J-Bay,” Toledo said. “You just have to enjoy it out there.
“My froth level is over the moon and I get super excited to get out there and put on a show.”
The rookie class shone, with five of seven surfers making it through to Round 3 and sending home some big names.
Hawaii’s Ezekiel Lau challenged Brazilian Wiggolly Dantas in the penultimate heat of the day and took a narrow win.
“The waves were firing. It was a full battle until the end, so I’m really happy,” Lau said.
Heat 7 delivered a high-scoring battle between leaderboard No 10 Sebastian Zietz, of Hawaii, and this year’s WSL rookie, Leonardo Fioravanti, of Italy.
Zietz opened with an impressive 9.83 for a combination of barrels and powerful turns, but two eight-point rides by the Italian were enough to see him through.
“I am frothing right now,” Fioravanti said. “We’re in J-Bay and the waves are absolutely pumping.
“It’s a dream to be here – and I think it’s the best waves I’ve ever surfed in my life in a heat.
“Win or lose, we surfed pumping J-Bay, so I’m happy.”
France’s Joan Duru laid down an excellent 9.00 on one of the biggest waves of day, with Aussie Adrian Buchan dispatched in 25th place.
“I’m so happy to be here. The waves are perfect,” Duru said.
“I love South Africa and I have had good results here in the past, so hopefully that plays in my favour later.”
Brazilian Caio Ibelli built a solid 16.43 heat total to beat opponent Stuart Kennedy, of Australia, in their heat.
An exciting battle played out between Brazilian Jadson Andre and Kolohe Andino, of the US – with Andre securing his third Championship Tour heat victory of the year.
World No 8 Julian Wilson, of Australia, beat fellow-countryman Josh Kerr.
“It is so enjoyable out there and it is only going to get better,” Wilson said.
“It was beautiful. It had a big long wall with some size on it and barrels on the inside – that is what everyone wants.”
No 3 on the leaderboard, Aussie Owen Wright took on WSL rookie and fellow-Australian Ethan Ewing and controlled most of their heat.
Eleven-time WSL Champion and four-time event winner, American Kelly Slater broke two bones in his foot while free-surfing early at Boneyards and has officially withdrawn.