Jordy Smith retains no.1 position in world surf rankings
South Africa's Jordy Smith was resplendent in yellow at Lower Trestles but was unable to advance beyond the Round of 16. After the mid-season cut – which eliminates the bottom 32 competitors on the world surf rankings – tour events take on a different, punchier format … Unfortunately, a wave-starved heat meant the big man couldn't open up on the waves like he's done in El Salvador and Western Australia. Image: File/Fotor
As such, first-round heats after the mid-season cut are a Round of 32 match-up between three surfers. With the bottom 32 gone, it really is strength versus strength from the first wave. Win this and you advance straight to the Round of 16. Jordy Smith managed to do so with a buzzer beater decided by the judges after the surfers had left the water.
However, in the next round, Smith's points accumulation towards the world surf rankings would stall. He came up against highly fancied local surfer Cole Houshmand, who had plenty of support at his home break. The goofy footer's left broke cleaner than Smith's rights and California won narrowly. It's the type of match-up that can undo anyone at any time on the tour. We're sure the whole of South Africa would love to see another sporting World Champion added to the list. Siya Kolisi meets Smith in Cape Town. Image: Tyron Bradley Red Bull Content Pool
Thankfully, the next-best placed surfer on the world surf rankings – Brazil's Italo Ferreira – also suffered a Round of 16 defeat. Which means the Durbanite retains the no. 1 world surf rankings yellow jersey for now. However, Brazil's Yago Dora – who won the Trestles event outright – and Japan's Kanoa Igarashi have closed the gap to Smith. RANK SURFER POINTS 1. Jordy Smith (RSA) 39 450 2. Yago Dora (BRA) 38 885 3. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 36 390 4. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 34 610 5. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 31 470
Two talented Australians, Ethan Ewing and Jack Robinson, are just outside of the top five. With Brazil's Felipe Toledo, American Griffin Colapinto and Italian Leo Fioravanti still in the running for a final five birth. They say it's harder to surf in the leader's yellow jersey because you have a target on your back. Image: WSL website
Things couldn't be tighter on the world surf rankings with three events left before the WSL Finals in Fiji in August. The finals format sees the top five competitors on the world surf rankings battling it out in man-on-man heats. The higher Jordy Smith can finish in the top five rankings the better, to have a higher seeding in the finals.
Be sure to catch Jordy Smith at the remaining events of the 2025 tour, with Brazil starting this weekend: June 21-29 – Vivo Rio Pro (BRA)
July 11-20 – J-Bay Open (RSA)
August 7-16 – Tahiti Pro (TAH)
August 27-September 4 – WSL Finals Fiji (FIJ)
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
Stellenbosch's Tylon Smith (20) to join Queens Park Rangers in England
Rising South African star Tylon Smith has completed a lucrative transfer from Stellenbosch FC to EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers, in what could be described as a life-changing move for the young defender. The Citizen reports that although QPR have yet to formally announce his signing, 20-year-old Smith has already been in England for the past two weeks and is settling into his new environment as he prepares for the upcoming season. According to leading betting site William Hill, the average Championship salary continues to rise, with some clubs paying players over £30 000 (R713 017) per week on average. Leicester City topped the list in the 2023/24 season, with an average weekly wage of £44 000 (R1.05m). At the other end of the scale, lower-budget teams in the league are paying less than £5 000 (R118 836) per week in wages. Smith caught international attention after being named Player of the Tournament at the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt earlier this year. He played a crucial role in Amajita's historic maiden continental triumph, including a standout performance in the 1–0 victory over Morocco in the final at Cairo International Stadium. He also netted the decisive goal in the semi-final against Nigeria, further underlining his potential and attracting interest from clubs across Europe. On the domestic front, Smith has been nominated for the DStv Diski Challenge Player of the Season award, capping off a stellar year for one of South Africa's brightest young talents.
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
We're slowly starting to figure it out, says Brad Binder after Czechia MotoGP eighth-place finish
Brad Binder finished eighth in the Czech Republic this past weekend. Photo: Red Bull Image: Red Bull Brad Binder was once again made to work hard as he charged from the back of the grid to walk away from the Czech Grand Prix with a valuable eighth-place finish, salvaging points after another gritty ride. The South African returned to the Brno circuit — the same track where he made history in 2020 by delivering not only his first MotoGP win but also KTM's first in the premier class — with hopes of reviving his season, which has been far from easy so far. The 29-year-old started his race from 19th place looking for more improvement following his 10th-place finish in Saturday's sprint race. 3 KTM's in the top 10! 💪🧡#CzechGP — RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING (@KTM_Racing) July 20, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Binder admitted that finishing eighth in the main race wasn't exactly satisfying, but he took heart from the progress made with recent adjustments and is optimistic that the upcoming four-week summer break will allow the team to take further steps forward. 'I still never had the pace I was looking for, but somehow we were a little better (Sunday)," Binder said after the race. 'I found a way to be better in mid-corner and exit, but I was losing a lot of time in braking and entry. 'It just seemed to be more controllable in my hand, so I was really happy about that, and by no means am I happy with 8th position, but — even though it doesn't look like it — we are slowly starting to figure it out. 'This is something we have to work on and find the combination; if we can do that, then it can be very positive. We tried something completely different with the bike, a little bit with the engine character, and it helped a bit with the edge grip and the drive.' Spanish rider and Binder's teammate Pedro Acosta continued his good form with the RC16 as he secured a podium third-place finish behind championship favorite Marc Marquez and Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi, who was second. Acosta has been the top KTM rider this season, currently finding himself in t of the championship riders, and Binder believes he can take away valuable lessons from his teammate and Tech3's Enea Bastianini, who also looked strong before crashing out in the main race. 'The really good thing is that both Pedro and Enea were super-fast this weekend, so I have some good things to check and figure out how they are doing it.'
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
Tylon Smith seals life-changing move to QPR
Leicester City topped the list in the 2023/24 season, with an average weekly wage of £44,000 (R1,045,759.44). Fletcher Hani Lowe of South Africa, Tylon Smith of South Africa and Mouad Dahak of Morocco after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations U20 Final match between South Africa and Morocco on the 18 May 2025 at 30 June Stadium in Cairo © Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix Rising South African star Tylon Smith has completed a lucrative transfer from Stellenbosch FC to English Championship side Queens Park Rangers, in what could be described as a life-changing move for the young defender. ALSO READ: Rashford closing in on Barcelona move: reports Although QPR have yet to formally announce his signing, Smith has already been in England for the past two weeks and settling into his new environment as he prepares for the upcoming season. According to a leading betting site William Hill, the average Championship salary continues to rise, with some clubs paying their players over £30,000 (R713,017.80) per week on average. Leicester City topped the list in the 2023/24 season, with an average weekly wage of £44,000 (R1,045,759.44). At the other end of the scale, lower-budget teams in the league are paying less than £5,000 (R118,836.30) per week in wages. Smith caught international attention after being named Player of the Tournament at the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt earlier this year. He played a crucial role in Amajita's historic maiden continental triumph, including a standout performance in the 1–0 victory over Morocco in the final at Cairo International Stadium. He also netted the decisive goal in the semi-final against Nigeria, further underlining his potential and attracting interest from clubs across Europe. ALSO READ: Sundowns' Ribeiro wins Club World Cup goal of the tournament On the domestic front, Smith has been nominated for the DStv Diski Challenge Player of the Season award, capping off a stellar year for one of South Africa's brightest young talents.
