Jordy Smith Just Won The Vans World Cup Of Surfing At Big, Clean Sunset Beach

It was a drizzly, windless day at the Vans World Cup Of Surfing with plenty of size for Jordy Smith to stretch his legs and take the win. As with most events held at the iconic Sunset Beach, rides were unpredictable, littered with huge wipeouts and wild lip attacks. The Big Island’s Torrey Meister’s 9.78 stole Kelly Slater’s thunder in the quarters, after jamming a super critical hook under a towering lip before riding out the rest of the inside section in the tube. But it was the big South African who had been looking in control throughout the event, with that strong, controlled power surfing we know and love. He scored a 6.33 and a 8.73 in the final over runner up and the now Triple Crown leader, Frederico Morais. Torrey Meister, who had won every heat before the semis, placed third in front of goofy-footed Tanner Gudauskas. 

“It’s definitely the hardest wave I think to surf on the North Shore,” said Jordy in the post event interview. “It has so many moods, you just have to accept the mood she’s in today and just try to sync up with her.” 

It was also a dramatic day for the QS riders fighting for a strong end of year placing and the chance to qualify for the CT. Brazilian Jadson Andre, facing a deciding moment for his 2017 CT chances at the end of his quarter final heat, had Joel Parkinson nipping at his heels in priority when a swell emerged in the dying seconds. Jadson was heard yelling from the channel, “Please don’t go Joel, I’ll give you anything!” Nothing eventuated and Jadson expressed his relief, splashing water and throwing his hands up after the horn sounded. 

Also feeling qualification heat was Jack Freestone and Ethan Ewing who landed semi final and quarter final results respectively. Mr Ewing, continuing to make a name for himself in the international surfing scene, was awarded the Triple Crown Rookie Of The Year.

After points have been allocated from today’s event, the QS top ten now looks a little something like this:
1. Connor O’Leary (AUS)
2. Ethan Ewing (AUS)
3. Frederico Morais (PRT)
4. Joan Duru (FRA)
5. Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
6. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
7. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
8. Jadson Andre (BRA)
9. Ian Gouveia (BRA)
10. Jack Freestone (AUS).