Local favourite, South African Jordy Smith, used his past years of experience in Jeffreys Bay to choose waves that offered the highest scoring potential and to take the quarterfinal victory over Damien Hobgood (US) in the first heat at the Billabong Pro at Jeffreys Bay Supertubes .
Despite riding conservatively in the choppy, wind affected conditions, Smith still managed to compile a heat tally of 15.10 with scores of 7.83 and 7.27 while Hobgood struggled on his backhand, totaling 8.94.
Smith moves into the semi-finals (next round) where he will meet the still to be revealed winner of the second quarterfinal between Australians Adrian Buchan and Julian Wilson. Hobgood is eliminated from the event in equal fifth place overall, taking home US$13 750 and 5 200 rankings points.
The bottom half of the draw sees former two-time Billabong Pro J-Bay champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) up against Brazilian rookie Alejo Muniz before former two-time ASP World Champion and dual J-Bay winner Mick Fanning takes on fellow Aussie Josh Kerr in the last of the quarters.
The day’s proceedings started with a moving tribute to the late Andy Irons, a former three-time ASP World Champion, the 2004 Billabong Pro J-Bay champion and long-time Billabong team rider who passed away earlier this year and who would have celebrated his birthday today.
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