JEFFREYS BAY, Eastern Cape, South Africa – Luke Thompson and Sarah Baum won the World Surf League (WSL) J-Bay Classic Trials Presented by Corona today in two-to-three-foot surf. With this win, Thompson and Baum get to compete against the elite field of invitees in the J-Bay Classic Presented by Corona Specialty event, which runs from 17-23 June.
Thompson Secures Main Event Slot, Overcomes Stacked Local Field
The waves were pumping for the Semifinals, and it was an exhilarating heat to watch Cape Town’s Luke Thompson (RSA) and local favourite Dale Staples(RSA) go excellent to secure their spot in the Finals, alongside top contenders Tide-Lee Ireland (RSA) and Adin Masencamp (RSA). Unfortunately, that was the best part of the day, as Supertubes slowed down, bringing long lulls and small waves.
Luke Thompson surfing in the Finals at the J-Bay Classic Trials. (Photo by Pierre Tostee/World Surf League)
It was anyone’s game in these conditions. Still, Thompson scored the best wave for a 6.00 point ride (out of a possible 10) for a combination of big turns on the Supertubes canvas. With a small backup ride of 3.33, it was enough to take the win over Ireland, Staples and Masencamp.
So Nervous
“I was actually so nervous in my first heat today, probably the most nervous I’ve been all year,” Thompson reflected. “In the Final, my game plan was to wait for the sets. I fell on my first wave, which worked out to my benefit because I got second priority, and I could go for that wave where I got the six. Afterwards, I sat wide and hoped a set wouldn’t arrive for the other guys.”
“I just want to surf as many heats as possible out here. The forecast looks perfect this week, so I can’t wait to surf perfect J-Bay with just a few people. I’m not even considering it a competition; I just want to surf!”
South Africa’s Olympic contender and top female surfer on the WSL Challenger Series, Sarah Baum (RSA), went excellent in her Semifinal clash to advance to the Finals. Baum picked off the best waves, showing her experience from competing at Supertubes as a wildcard in the Corona Open J-Bay last year. She unleashed her backhand, committing to huge turns in the cascading lip to get an excellent heat total of 16.17 (out of a possible 20).
In the Final, Baum stayed patient and waited for the set waves, surfing smartly to bank two good waves. Not pushing too hard, but completing her rides, it was just enough to fend off a commendable performance from Sarah Scott(RSA), who finished in second place. Natasha van Greunen (RSA) and Zoe Steyn (RSA) round out the results.
Expression Session
After the Finals, a handful of competitors grabbed a twin-fin surfboard specifically shaped for the J-Bay Classic presented by Corona and headed out for the Dawn Patrol Wine Lines expression session, the first of many expression sessions planned for the duration of the competition window period.
Jordy Smith (RSA), Dale Staples (RSA), Sage Erikson (USA), Coco Ho (HAW), Sarah Baum (RSA), Michael February (RSA), Luke Thompson (RSA), Tide-Lee Ireland (RSA), Faye Zoetmulder (RSA) and Shane Sykes (RSA) had the Supertubes lineup all to themselves to have some fun on the beautifully crafted twin fins from SMTH Shapes, Spider, Channel Islands, Timmy Patterson, ELS and Fishstix.
While there won’t be a live broadcast, fans will be able to follow updates on the WSL J-Bay Classic presented by Corona on the @wsl and @jbayclassicsocial media channels and catch up on all the best highlights from the day on WorldSurfLeague.com.
The J-Bay Classic, presented by Corona, holds a competition window from Friday, June 14, through Sunday, June 23.
The J-Bay Classic presented by Corona is proudly supported by Corona, Kouga Municipality, Eastern Cape Provincial Government, House of Mandela, The Freedom Project, Red Bull, Sealand, Grit and Surfing South Africa.
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