Jordy Smith Wins Ballito Pro, Praises Cape Town’s Mikey February in 3rd
Congratulations to Jordy Smith who won the 2017 Ballito Pro, presented by Billabong, yesterday in South Africa. Jordy beat Brazilian Willian Cardoso in the finals, to claim his second Ballito Pro win… while fellow South African Mikey February, from Cape Town, clinched third position. Durban surf sensation, Jordy, claimed his victory in front of an […]
Congratulations to Jordy Smith who won the 2017 Ballito Pro, presented by Billabong, yesterday in South Africa. Jordy beat Brazilian Willian Cardoso in the finals, to claim his second Ballito Pro win… while fellow South African Mikey February, from Cape Town, clinched third position.
Durban surf sensation, Jordy, claimed his victory in front of an ecstatic large local crowd who had gathered at Willard beach in KwaZulu-Natal.
Jordy said afterwards: “Just to be here in front of my friends and family and such an awesome crowd is amazing, big thanks to everyone who came down to the beach.”
He also gave a “massive congratulations” to Mikey whom he knocked out in the semi-finals.
“I’m super pumped for him and I hope he can qualify this year,” said Jordy.
The international surfer, from Durban, told reporters that secretly he was “a little bummed” for Mikey and would’ve liked to have been in the finals with his compatriot.
“I just wish him all the best, I really hope he brings it and joins me on the tour next year. He’s got the ability and the confidence to go all the way.”
Mikey said it was awesome surfing against Jordy, and that it boost his confidence making it to the semis.
“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.”
The Ballito Pro is the first World Surf League (WSL) QS10,000 rated event of the year.
Next up for Jordy is the J-Bay Open in Jeffrey’s Bay in the Eastern Cape (12-23 July)… which Jordy has won twice before – in 2010 and 2011.
“I’m really happy with my performance this week,” said Jordy, “and hopefully I can take this momentum to J-Bay.”
International competitors like John John Florence (pictured below) have already started arriving for the event which has been dominated in the past decade by Jordy (winning in 2010 and 2011), American Kelly Slater, and Australians Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson.
The J-Bay Open run from 12-23 July 2017.
.@jordysmith88 & J-Bay go together like peanut butter and Jelly 🎥 Dane Staples Films pic.twitter.com/OwV6a80upo
— World Surf League (@wsl) July 9, 2017
https://www.facebook.com/WSL/videos/10154859692642058/
These four guys are J-Bay's biggest giants | @jordysmith88 @joelparko @kellyslater @Mick_Fanning #CoronaOpenJBay July 12 – 23 @corona pic.twitter.com/LmMGeAxElg
— World Surf League (@wsl) July 8, 2017