Jordy fifth in Australian tour
Jordy Smith placed fifth as Mick Fanning won Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in Australia.
SOUTH Africa’s Jordy Smith placed fifth in the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach after advancing to the Quarterfinals at the second stop on the 2015 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour (CT).
He was eliminated by eventual winner Mick Fanning (Australia) in wind affected 1.5 metre waves. The former Durbanite fell behind early in the 30 minute encounter before punctuating a long ride with a series of explosive, fins free manoeuvres. He earned an excellent 8.33 out of 10 but still needed a near perfect 9.44 to advance to the semi-finals when the heat ended,
Smith’s haul of 5 200 points moved him up four places to No. 5 on the WSL CT rankings with two of the 11 events on the 2015 schedule now completed.
Fanning went on to defeat Nat Young (USA) in the semis and then beat Adriano de Souza (Brazil) in the closest final in Championship Tour history. The pair tied on 15.27 points each but Fanning got the nod on a count-back to the highest single ride which the Australian clinched 8.17 vs. 7.57
