Jordy Smith retains no.1 position in world surf rankings
South Africa's Jordy Smith was resplendent in yellow at Lower Trestles but was unable to advance beyond the Round of 16. After the mid-season cut – which eliminates the bottom 32 competitors on the world surf rankings – tour events take on a different, punchier format … Unfortunately, a wave-starved heat meant the big man couldn't open up on the waves like he's done in El Salvador and Western Australia. Image: File/Fotor
As such, first-round heats after the mid-season cut are a Round of 32 match-up between three surfers. With the bottom 32 gone, it really is strength versus strength from the first wave. Win this and you advance straight to the Round of 16. Jordy Smith managed to do so with a buzzer beater decided by the judges after the surfers had left the water.
However, in the next round, Smith's points accumulation towards the world surf rankings would stall. He came up against highly fancied local surfer Cole Houshmand, who had plenty of support at his home break. The goofy footer's left broke cleaner than Smith's rights and California won narrowly. It's the type of match-up that can undo anyone at any time on the tour. We're sure the whole of South Africa would love to see another sporting World Champion added to the list. Siya Kolisi meets Smith in Cape Town. Image: Tyron Bradley Red Bull Content Pool
Thankfully, the next-best placed surfer on the world surf rankings – Brazil's Italo Ferreira – also suffered a Round of 16 defeat. Which means the Durbanite retains the no. 1 world surf rankings yellow jersey for now. However, Brazil's Yago Dora – who won the Trestles event outright – and Japan's Kanoa Igarashi have closed the gap to Smith. RANK SURFER POINTS 1. Jordy Smith (RSA) 39 450 2. Yago Dora (BRA) 38 885 3. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 36 390 4. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 34 610 5. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 31 470
Two talented Australians, Ethan Ewing and Jack Robinson, are just outside of the top five. With Brazil's Felipe Toledo, American Griffin Colapinto and Italian Leo Fioravanti still in the running for a final five birth. They say it's harder to surf in the leader's yellow jersey because you have a target on your back. Image: WSL website
Things couldn't be tighter on the world surf rankings with three events left before the WSL Finals in Fiji in August. The finals format sees the top five competitors on the world surf rankings battling it out in man-on-man heats. The higher Jordy Smith can finish in the top five rankings the better, to have a higher seeding in the finals.
Be sure to catch Jordy Smith at the remaining events of the 2025 tour, with Brazil starting this weekend: June 21-29 – Vivo Rio Pro (BRA)
July 11-20 – J-Bay Open (RSA)
August 7-16 – Tahiti Pro (TAH)
August 27-September 4 – WSL Finals Fiji (FIJ)
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