Smith and February carry SA’s hopes into Ballito Pro final today

The 2017 Ballito Pro has dished up some fantastic surfing and awesome entertainment and today will see the best of the best heading into the surf at Willard Beach one more time to decide who will be crowned champion.

Yesterday the world’s best surfers revelled in the overhead surf at Willard Beach on Day 5 of the Ballito Pro pres. by Billabong, carving massive arcs, maneuvering into and out of deep tubes and taking to the air with high flying aerials on the two metre plus waves.

Also read: Big names knocked off the top at Pro

After a day of intense competition where the five remaining heats in the Round of 24 and all eight heats in the Round of 16 were completed, Mikey Wright (AUS) emerged as the standout performer, earning the event’s highest single ride, a near perfect 9.87 out of 10 for a no-grab full rotation, and heat total with an impressive 18.80 out of 20 in his early morning heat.

Mikey February and Jordy Smith now carry South Africa’s hopes into the finals.

A high-scoring duel between Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) and Jordy Smith (ZAF) saw each earn a pair of excellent rides yesterday.

“That heat was tough, you know these QS guys want it more than anyone,” said Smith.

“It’s good for me to get a warm up and it keeps me on my toes for sure. You’ve got to keep analysing and go to Plan B if the conditions shift, just judge every wave for what it is and really not over think anything too much.”

Also read: Jordy makes round three of the Pro

Despite the onset of the onshore breeze, the first heat in the Round of 16 had the packed beach cheering as crowd favourite Michael February (ZAF) fought back from a slow start to overtake young Californian Griffin Colapinto (USA) and advance to the quarterfinals.

“Super slow start to the heat and then on my first wave I had my leash under my foot so I kind of got a wobble and everyone probably thought it was nerves,” said February.

“Then conditions changed a lot. I’d seen Keanu (Asing) got some barrels and I was trying to get something similar but in the end I just found a couple of corners that allowed me to do a few turns, so I was really happy.

“I already made my best result a few rounds ago, so now everything is a plus and I’m trying to make the most of it.”

Organisers will meet at first light again this morning (Saturday) to make a call on when to start what is likely to be the final day of the event. If the quarterfinals commence at 7.05 as expected, the 2017 Ballito Pro pres. by Billabong champion will be crowned at Willard Beach before noon.

The Ballito Pro pres. by Billabong is proudly supported by the KwaDukuza Municipality, Billabong, 5FM, Capitec Bank, Casio, North Coast Courier, Monster Energy, Zigzag Surfing Magazine, World Surf League (WSL) and Surfing South Africa (SSA).

UPCOMING BALLITO PRO PRES. BY BILLABONG QUARTERFINAL MATCHUPS:
QF 1: Michael February (ZAF) vs. Jesse Mendes (BRA)
QF 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
QF 3: Wade Carmichael (AUS) vs. Mikey Wright (AUS)
QF 4: Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) vs. Willian Cardoso (BRA)

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