2 days ago
SA's Jordy Smith narrowly avoids elimination at Tahiti Pro
The 27-year-old from San Clemente had been relishing the even bigger surf in the lead-up to the event, charging waves he said were some of the best he had ever ridden.
'That's why I started surfing, was to have the potential wave in my life. This is so satisfying for the soul. And I love competition and competing, but when it comes to the opportunity to get the wave of your life, that's just as important to me,' he said. 'Now we're competing and I'm still healthy, my body's intact, and I won my first heat, so I'm psyched.'
South Africa's Jordy Smith, ranked No 2 in the world, narrowly avoided a loss in the elimination round with a late, near-perfect 9.5 against trials winner Teiva Tairoa of Tahiti.
But Japan's Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Kanoa Igarashi, ranked fourth in the world going into Tahiti, went down to local wild card Mihimana Braye in the elimination round, jeopardising his chance of making the finals in Fiji.
Two-time world champion Filipe Toledo of Brazil also lost in the elimination round, putting an end to his hopes of making the top five.
When the women's competition gets under way, probably on Friday, 12-year-old Kelia Gallina will make history by becoming the youngest ever competitor in a world championship tour event.
Gallina, who started surfing Teahupo'o before she was five years old, won the trials event and will face Australia's world No 1 Molly Picklum and California's Lakey Peterson in the first round.
