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Tahiti - Jordy Smith achieved a solid ninth place at the Billabong Pro Tahiti World Championship Tour surfing event on Sunday and remains at No 4 on the World Tour Ratings (WTR).
In good 4 to 6-foot waves, Smith came up against eventual contest winner Adrian Buchan, and in a wave starved heat, was eliminated after only scoring one counting wave.
Smith had been on fire throughout the event; easily winning his first round and third round heats and looking comfortable and settled in among the thick Teahupo'o waves.
The event was won by Australian Buchan, who beat the perennial Kelly Slater into second place with Mick Fanning from Australia and Kai Otton, also from Down Under, in equal third place.
The second place finish puts Kelly Slater firmly in the No 1 position on the WCT rankings ahead of Fanning, current world champion Joel Parkinson in third and Smith in fourth position, with Taj Burrow in fifth spot.
The World Tour moves on to California for the Hurley Pro at Trestles, an event that Smith has done well at in the past. Slater however, also has a favourable winning percentage at Trestles and it’s anybody's game during the back half of the year. With four events to go, any of the top five surfers could secure the world title.
“It’s not the best result, but it’s not the worst result either,” said Smith of his ninth-place finish.
“Now it’s time to keep focused and keep my head down for the final four events of the year.”
After California the World Championship Tour moves on to France and Portugal before the final event of the year at Pipeline in Hawaii.
In good 4 to 6-foot waves, Smith came up against eventual contest winner Adrian Buchan, and in a wave starved heat, was eliminated after only scoring one counting wave.
Smith had been on fire throughout the event; easily winning his first round and third round heats and looking comfortable and settled in among the thick Teahupo'o waves.
The event was won by Australian Buchan, who beat the perennial Kelly Slater into second place with Mick Fanning from Australia and Kai Otton, also from Down Under, in equal third place.
The second place finish puts Kelly Slater firmly in the No 1 position on the WCT rankings ahead of Fanning, current world champion Joel Parkinson in third and Smith in fourth position, with Taj Burrow in fifth spot.
The World Tour moves on to California for the Hurley Pro at Trestles, an event that Smith has done well at in the past. Slater however, also has a favourable winning percentage at Trestles and it’s anybody's game during the back half of the year. With four events to go, any of the top five surfers could secure the world title.
“It’s not the best result, but it’s not the worst result either,” said Smith of his ninth-place finish.
“Now it’s time to keep focused and keep my head down for the final four events of the year.”
After California the World Championship Tour moves on to France and Portugal before the final event of the year at Pipeline in Hawaii.
