Pictured: WSL J-Bay Classic Trials presented by Corona winners Luke Thompson (RSA) and Sarah Baum (RSA) Credit: © WSL / Tostee
Luke Thompson (RSA) and Sarah Baum (RSA) won the World Surf League (WSL) J-Bay Classic Trials Presented by Corona yesterday in two-to-three foot surf.
Now this surfing pair get to compete against the elite field of invitees in the J-Bay Classic Presented by Corona Specialty event, which runs from 17-23 June. The first call is tomorrow, Monday 17 June, at 07:00 GMT +2.
The waves were pumping for the Semi-finals and at this exhilarating heat Cape Town’s Luke Thompson (RSA) and local favourite Dale Staples (RSA) secured their spot in the Finals, alongside top contenders Tide-Lee Ireland (RSA) and Adin Masencamp (RSA).
That was the best part of the day as thereafter Supertubes slowed down, bringing long lulls and small waves. It was anyone’s game in these conditions, but Thompson scored the best wave for a 6.00 point ride (out of a possible 10) for a combination of big turns on the Supertubes canvas. With a small backup ride of 3.33, it was enough for Thompson to achieve the win over Ireland, Staples and Masencamp.
Pictured: Luke Thompson (RSA) slicing his way to the Finals at the J-Bay Classic Men’s Trials presented by Corona Credit: © WSL / Tostee
“I was actually so nervous in my first heat today, probably the most nervous I’ve been all year,” Thompson reflected. “In the Final, my game plan was to wait for the sets.
“I fell on my first wave and it actually worked out to my benefit, because then I got second priority and I could go for that wave where I got the six. After that I sat wide and just hoped a set wouldn’t arrive for the rest of the guys. I just want to surf as many heats as I can out here.
“The forecast looks really good this week so I can’t wait to surf perfect J-Bay with just a few people out. I’m not event thinking about it as a competition, I just want to surf!”
South Africa’s Olympic contender and top female surfer on the WSL Challenger Series, Sarah Baum (RSA), advanced from her Semi-finals clash success to advance to the Finals. Baum picked off the best waves, showing her experience from competing at Supertubes as a wildcard in the Corona Open J-Bay last year.
She unleashed her backhand, committing to huge turns in the cascading lip to get an excellent heat total of 16.17 (out of a possible 20). And in the Final, Baum stayed patient and waited for the set waves, surfing smart to bank two good waves.
Not pushing too hard, but completing her rides, it was just enough to fend off a commendable performance from Sarah Scott (RSA) who finished in second place, with Natasha van Greunen (RSA) and Zoe Steyn (RSA) rounding out the results.
Pictured: Sarah Baum (RSA) with an excellent heat score on her way to the Finals at the J-Bay Classic Women’s Trials presented by Corona Credit: © WSL / McGregor
“There were definitely some nerves in the first heat, but it got better,” Baum said. “The Semi-finals had great waves, and then the Final was a bit slow, but that’s how it goes.
“I’m just excited because there are waves coming. It’s so cool to surf J-Bay with just a few people out, which doesn’t happen often. The hype over here is always so crazy, so to be part of it all, I just want to have fun. It’s not often you get to surf events for fun,” Baum said.
– Source WSL (edited by Bev Mortimer)
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