On The Brink: The ASP’s Search For A Worthy Champ, Part Four

By Lewis Samuels

If you haven’t already read part one (which was posted two days ago), this may not make a whole lotta sense. So go readthis first.

If you haven’t read part two with Joel Parkinson yet, go here. If you haven’t read part three, with Kelly Slater, go here.

Is Jordy Smith ready to win a world title? Most of his peers think he is. “Jordy is definitely ready,” claims Bede Durbidge. “He has so much natural talent and now with three years of experience under his belt he will be a major threat.” CJ Hobgood feels that Jordy’s title is a matter of when, not if. “He will win a title – no doubt.”

As he proved last year, Smith is capable of taking a ratings lead. But can he defend it? “I think he’s ready to defend a lead if he can get himself in that position again,” Ace Buchan told Stab. But CJ Hobgood notes that Jordy hasn’t yet been tested by setbacks out of his control. “The thing with Jordy is how will he deal with adversity?” CJ asks. “If he gets a setback, will he turn it into good like Mick did?”

Meanwhile, Jordy is focused on simply winning events. When asked how many event wins it might take in 2011 to earn a title, Jordy told Stab, “I think minimum three events.” Jordy believes his best chances for wins will come on his frontside. “I probably think J-bay is a strong point for me,” Smith noted. “Maybe Bells, or the Goldy.”

For the ASP, a Smith world title represents a poor-man’s Dane Reynolds title. Jordy lacks the charisma of The Chosen One, but at least they are both Modern Collective cohorts young enough to be named Kelly’s successor. Wisely, Jordy has copied Dane’s website enough to stay on-trend, aligning himself with hipster shooters. With any luck they’ll build an image for Jordy that’s as interesting as his surfing.