UPSET ALERT: Jordy Smith stunned at J-Bay
The loss saw Smith relinquish the Yellow Leader Jersey, as the field narrows heading into finals day.
The Corona Cero Open J-Bay, stop number 10 on the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, continued in three- to five-foot Supertubes conditions.
However, a fading swell prompted organisers to call off competition for Monday, 14 and Tuesday, 15 July.
The next call will be made on Wednesday, 16 July at 07:45 for a possible 08:03 start.
French rookie Marco Mignot shocked the local crowd as he outmanoeuvred Smith in tricky conditions, advancing to his second quarter-final appearance on the Championship Tour.
While Smith waited for a set wave that never arrived, Mignot stayed busy, racking up a solid scoreline and leaving Smith needing a near-excellent wave in the dying moments.
'If you take on No 1 and beat him, it's a bigger reward,' said Mignot.
'I always want to surf against the best and push myself. Before coming here, I was watching clips of Jordy, because I think he's the best out here.'
On Monday Jordy Smith took to social media to write: 'Didn't go the way we wanted but I am so grateful for all the support that has been poured into me this last week. Really appreciate every single one of you guys. The show must go on and so we continue to show up and keep swinging 💪🏼'
Meanwhile, Griffin Colapinto (USA) got revenge on compatriot Cole Houshmand in their Round of 16 rematch, just a week after facing each other in the final of the VIVO Rio Pro.
Colapinto controlled the heat early and sealed it with a 7.50 ride, thanks to powerful turns and clean carves down a J-Bay wall.
'This one matters because I want to make the Final 5,' said Colapinto.
'He's like a big brother to me, but I'm in that position now where every heat is important.'
Brazil's Yago Dora, now the new world No 1, continued his charge at J-Bay.
After breaking the fin on his favourite board in his heat against compatriot João Chianca, Dora changed equipment and responded with a huge aerial move that scored an excellent 9.00, securing the win.
'I didn't want to change boards, so I just changed the fin,' said Dora.
'There was a long lull, and I tried to stay patient. The second-best feeling in surfing is flying through the air and landing in the flats. It's scary, but when you pull it off, it feels so good.'
Although Dora now holds the Yellow Jersey, Japan's Kanoa Igarashi remains in contention for the top spot after also advancing.
Heat 1: Yago Dora (BRA) 14.57 defeated João Chianca (BRA) 13.67Heat 2: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.34 defeated Jack Robinson (AUS) 9.76Heat 3: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 13.50 defeated Crosby Colapinto (USA) 9.33Heat 4: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.37 defeated Cole Houshmand (USA) 12.57
Heat 5: Marco Mignot (FRA) 14.57 defeated Jordy Smith (RSA) 11.17 Heat 6: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.97 defeated Barron Mamiya (HAW) 10.60Heat 7: Connor O'Leary (JPN) 12.83 defeated Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.33
Heat 8: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 12.00 defeated Jake Marshall (USA) 10.00
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