WATCH: SA’s Jordy Smith crowned 2017 Ballito Pro champion

Willard Beach was the place to be on Saturday as a crowd of hundreds watched some of the world’s best surfers go head to head in the 2017 Ballito Pro finals.

In the end it was South Africa’s Jordy Smith who emerged victorious, out-riding Brazil’s Willian Cardoso in a pulsating final to add the 2017 event title to his previous victory in 2010.

“I had a bit of a slow start, but I ended up sticking that first air and from there I was actually enjoying my surf out there and just taking my time as the waves came through,” said Smith.

“Eventually I got that one wave with a nice section and got one of the biggest ramps all week and just went for it and I landed it.”

His haul of 10,000 points sees Smith jump straight into fifth position on the Qualifying Series (QS) rankings along with a massive boost of confidence as he heads to Jeffrey’s Bay for stop six of 11 on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour starting on Wednesday where he is a former two-time event winner (2010 & 2011).

While he was disappointed not to claim the win, Cardoso was happy with his runner-up finish which bumped him up into No. 2 on the QS rankings heading into the second half of the year.

“I knew with Jordy it was going to be crazy in that heat and I tried to find the really good waves, but I just found one,” said Cardoso.

“I am just super stoked to be in the final, it has  been about two years since I was in a final so it was really good to be in that position again.”

Cardoso’s patented power moves saw him charge past Vasco Ribeiro in the quarterfinals and Mikey Wright in the semifinals on his way to the final.

Also read: Big names knocked off the top at Ballito Pro

Crowd favourite Michael February (ZAF) had an incredible run through the event, posting his career-best result on his way to third place after suffering a narrow loss to Smith in their all-South African semifinal encounter.

The Capetonian matched Smith ride-for-ride in the early stages before the heat burst into life in the last five minutes with a flurry of rides that saw Smith nail down his berth in the final with back-to back excellent rides that February could not equal as time ran out.

“When you surf against Jordy you have got to be at your best, he is so good, and it was pretty cool to watch him from the water,” said February.

“It is awesome to surf against him because he is such an amazing surfer. And to have a heat against him at this stage of the contest is really good for me. At the end of the contest you are always going to surf against the best in the world, and Jordy is definitely one of them.

“It boosts my confidence so much making semis in a 10 000 and I am looking forward to keeping the positive vibes going, taking everything I learned from this event and just keep it going.

“It gets pretty busy now, it’s the US Open and after that the European leg so that’s my focus now, and then Hawaii. I had some nice words from Jordy after that heat which was really cool from someone I look up to, it gives you that extra push.”

His third place finish saw February leapfrog from 21st to No. 4 on the QS rankings, giving him an solid base from which to challenge for a place in top 10 in the year-end rankings and qualification for the elite CT

“Secretly I was a little bummed for Mikey February. I would have liked to be in the finals with him but that is just the way our sport goes,” commented Smith on his compatriot.

“I just wish him all the best, I really hope he brings it and joins me on the tour next year. He has the ability and the confidence to go all the way.”

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

The QS10,000 Ballito Pro presented by Billabong is the anchor event in the 13-day Ballito Pro Surf Festival which included the Billabong Junior Series presented by All Aboard Travel for surfers aged 18-and-under, the SSA Ballito Trials presented by Billabong, which saw local Richie Kidd earn a wildcard into the main event and the QS1,000 Ballito Women’s Pro where Australia’s Sophia Fulton was crowned the champion on Saturday July. 1

Also read: Ballito’s Richie Kidd wins wildcard into Pro

WATCH: Jordy emerges from the water after beating Brazilian Willian Cardoso to massive support from the crowd:

https://www.facebook.com/northcoastcourier/videos/1587942734558401/

https://www.facebook.com/theballitopro/videos/1486894214706296/?hc_location=ufi

>>  Expect to find the latest trends in Health, Wellness and Beauty in Ballito.

>> Meet the top players in the North Coast property industry. See our Property People feature.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.

Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join us on BBM at 59015786
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.