The Top 5 performers of 2011 ASP World Tour – Part 2
Jordy Smith
The 23-year-old South African is taking charge of the new generation during the latest season of the ASP World Tour. Ever since his elite inception in 2008, Smith has been making a strong statement with his sensational skills and style and with each passing
year, he seems to grow into an even greater force. After finishing runner-up in 2010, the Durban-native has surely returned with renewed vigour, looking to take that final step towards the throne.
The opening event of the 2011 ASP World Tour, Quicksilver Pro, in Gold Coast Australia, saw Smith get off to an amazing start, downing some of the greatest surfers from all around the globe to make his way into the quarter-finals and then the semi-finals.
However, his journey to the event-title was cut short by the Australian force, Taj Burrow. Though the disappointment was there for missing out on the title shot after getting so close, a third-place finish was short of satisfying for the South African.
The second stop of the season, Rip Curls Pro, brought the surfers to Bells Beach in Australia. Continuing his excellent form, the Durban-based Smith once again drilled through a line-up comprising of highly skilled surfers to make his way into the semi-finals.
Once again, he found himself pitted against a local surfer, though this time it was the two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning. The battle turned out to be nothing short of epic, though the Australian eventually managed to clinch victory, ejecting his
rival from the competition. For the second time in a row, Smith had to settle for third place.
The South African later made his way to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the third event of the season, Billabong Rio Pro. Much to the dismay of the surfers, tough conditions awaited them in Rio de Janeiro. Smith was never able to find his rhythm while competing
in the demanding surfing conditions, and was ejected from the competition by Australia’s Josh Kerr in the third round, making the Durban-resident finish in 13th position.
Billabong Pro at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa turned out to be just what the doctor ordered for Smith. Since the very first round of the competition, the 23-year-old asserted his dominance and continued to give consistent performances as the event progressed,
to make his way into the semi-finals and then eventually the finals to take on Fanning.
Smith had a score to settle with the experienced ASP World Tour campaigner and naturally, the battle turned out to be electrifying. However, this time the outcome of the battle came in the South African’s favour, awarding him his first elite victory of the
season. This was exactly what he needed to regain his confidence after a rather poor performance in Brazil during the last stop.
Due to his over-all consistency so far, the young South African sensation is currently sitting in the No.2 slot on the ASP World Tour Rankings. The current position of the young sensation makes him a serious threat to this year’s ASP World Champion title.
He sure has gotten himself an ideal start, though all he now needs to do is remain consistent while collecting good results from the remaining competitions. This may very well be the season when Smith manages to go all the way.
To be continued in Part 3.
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