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Cape Town - With the surfing world title race now totally out of his plan, South African surfer Jordy Smith managed a very respectable fifth place at the Rip Curl Pro at Supertubos Beach in Portugal.
Looking like a winner in the earlier rounds, Smith seemed a bit stymied by the weird high-tide conditions that prevailed through his heats, and found his last few match-ups problematic.
He stumbled against Santa Cruz surfer Nat Young in the fourth round, and was forced to surf in the sudden death fifth round before eventually advancing through to the quarter-finals.
In the quarters Smith came up against Young again, and once again the young goofy-footer (right-foot forward surfer) managed to keep the young South African at bay, despite the fact that many surfers and spectators though that he (Smith) had the upper hand.
Australian surfer Kai Otton eventually won the event from Young. It was Otton’s first World Championship Tour win despite being on the tour for eight years. The result also saw Young claim the title of Rookie of the Year.
The World Championship Tour moves to Hawaii next for the final event of the year and the crowning of the 2013 world champion.
Australian Mick Fanning and American legend Kelly Slater are both in with a chance for the world title, which will be decided at the Billabong Pipeline Masters. Smith goes into the Hawaiian leg in fourth place and has set his sights on another goal.
“I would like to finish off the year with a Triple Crown win in Hawaii,” said Smith of the three events that make up the Vans Triple Crown in Hawaii.
“It’s been a pretty good year so far, but it’s not over yet.”
The Triple Crown comprises events at Sunset Beach and Haleiwa, both of which are Smith's favourite kind of waves, as well as the Billabong Pipe Masters.
For more on the surfing World Tour go to www.aspworldtour.com
Looking like a winner in the earlier rounds, Smith seemed a bit stymied by the weird high-tide conditions that prevailed through his heats, and found his last few match-ups problematic.
He stumbled against Santa Cruz surfer Nat Young in the fourth round, and was forced to surf in the sudden death fifth round before eventually advancing through to the quarter-finals.
In the quarters Smith came up against Young again, and once again the young goofy-footer (right-foot forward surfer) managed to keep the young South African at bay, despite the fact that many surfers and spectators though that he (Smith) had the upper hand.
Australian surfer Kai Otton eventually won the event from Young. It was Otton’s first World Championship Tour win despite being on the tour for eight years. The result also saw Young claim the title of Rookie of the Year.
The World Championship Tour moves to Hawaii next for the final event of the year and the crowning of the 2013 world champion.
Australian Mick Fanning and American legend Kelly Slater are both in with a chance for the world title, which will be decided at the Billabong Pipeline Masters. Smith goes into the Hawaiian leg in fourth place and has set his sights on another goal.
“I would like to finish off the year with a Triple Crown win in Hawaii,” said Smith of the three events that make up the Vans Triple Crown in Hawaii.
“It’s been a pretty good year so far, but it’s not over yet.”
The Triple Crown comprises events at Sunset Beach and Haleiwa, both of which are Smith's favourite kind of waves, as well as the Billabong Pipe Masters.
For more on the surfing World Tour go to www.aspworldtour.com
