Jordy Smith shreds field to win at Bells Beach

Cape Town - After more than a decade of trying, Jordy Smith became the first South African to ring the bell at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in Victoria, Australia.

Smith, 29, wasn't messing around in the final on Wednesday where he unloaded with his textbook carves, giant floaters, and ruthless snaps while racking up a total of 18.90 points.

He would need most of them, too, as Brazil's Caio Ibelli made a valiant late push in the back half of the last heat, netting 17.46.

For Smith the win lifts him to back into the No 2 spot in the rankings behind Hawaii's John John Florence.

The next stop, the fourth of 11 in this year's Championship Tour, is the Oi Rio Pro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from May 9-20 where Florence is the defending champion.

Congratulations @jordysmith88, winner of the 2017 #RipCurlPro #BellsBeach!! ?? @ripcurl @Melbourne pic.twitter.com/DT9C3iBlx1

— World Surf League (@wsl) April 19, 2017