16 October 2007
South African surfing sensation Jordy Smith has increased his lead at the top of the ASP World Qualifying Series after posting an incredible win at the 2007 O'Neill Cold Water Classic presented by Jeep in California on Sunday.
The victory was the third WQS title of Smith's career and it extended his lead at the top of the standings to 1 700.
His win also capped a fantastic weekend for South African sport: In England, Ernie Els won the World Matchplay Championship title for a record seventh time and, in Paris, the Springboks beat Argentina 37-13 to qualify for the Rugby World Cup final.
Near perfect
Granted a wildcard into the event, the 19-year-old from Durban grabbed a wave in the last minute of the final to earn a near perfect 9.50 out of 10 to capture the title at the legendary Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz.
"This feels amazing," said Smith, the reigning ASP World Junior Champion. "I came to Santa Cruz with the hopes of aligning myself with all the great names who have won this event and now I have. I'm absolutely thrilled."
While local power surfer Kieren Horn held onto the lead for the majority of the final, Smith ripped into a last-minute inside right-hander and proceeded to tear it to shreds. The score matched the highest recorded in the event and rocketed Smith into the lead.
"The waves weren't the best in the final, and I definitely needed a backup score at the end," Smith said. "Kieran (Horn) let one slip by and I stroked into it and was able to get the score I needed."
Lead extended
The 1 500 points for victory in the four-star-rated WQS event dislodged the 1 125 points that Smith was holding as the lowest of his top seven counting scores in the rankings, thus extending his lead over second-placed Dane Reynolds (USA) by an additional 375 points.
However, the South African phenom will continue to compete on The Grind (as the year-long 48 event WQS is referred to) until the year is out.
"From here, I'm off to the Canary Islands to compete in the six-star prime event there," Smith said.
Higher seeding
"I'll be looking to drop a low score and further solidify my ratings lead on the 'QS. Even though I've qualified already (for the 2008 Foster's ASP World Tour), the higher I finish means the higher I'll be seeded on the ASP World Tour next year."
Smith, who was the only SA surfer at the Santa Cruz event, will be competing with more than a dozen compatriots in the R875 000 La Santa Pro on Lanzarote in the Canaries.
As a six-star-rated event, the La Santa Pro adds an additional 20 percent to the ratings points for each position, with the winner earning 3 000 points instead of 2 500.
RESULTS
O’Neill Cold Water Classic presented by Jeep
Final
ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings
(After stop No. 39 of 48)
Other South Africans
SAinfo reporter
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