Supertubes awaits world's best surfers at Corona Cero Open J-Bay
"Being in the Yellow Leader jersey is one thing, but being in yellow at home is a whole bigger thing. It's been a long time since I've been in this position at home, so hopefully I can go out there and perform.'
There will be more South Africans in the lineup this year, with local event wildcards awarded to Sarah Baum (SA) and Luke Thompson (SA) as the highest-placed Africans on the Challenger Series rankings.
Baum is no stranger to J-Bay and could play spoiler in the race to the WSL Final 5. In 2023, she achieved a fifth-place finish as a wildcard and in 2024 won the J-Bay Classic Specialty, showcasing her skills on the walls of Supertubes.
Thompson is fresh off his first-ever Challenger Series victory at the Ballito Pro Presented by O'Neill.
The 21-year-old is the first South African to win the Ballito Pro since Jordy Smith in 2017, and is looking forward to his matchup with Smith and Crosby Colapinto (US) in the opening round.
SA's former Championship Tour surfer and Jeffreys Bay local, Matthew McGillivray, will also be back in the event as a local wildcard and will bring his wealth of local knowledge and CT experience to the fore.
The J-Bay Surf Fest, the 10-day winter festival that runs alongside the Corona Cero Open J-Bay, will provide endless entertainment for spectators and visitors to Jeffreys Bay.
The live music concerts at the ParkOff Music Festival will be a highlight, spanning two weekends.
The Fan Park offers nonstop sports coverage, with plenty of food and drink options available.
For the more adventurous, there are mountain biking, trail running, funduro, and fishing competitions open to all.
For more visit jbaysurffest.co.za and WorldSurfLeague.com
Women's matchups
HEAT 1: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) vs Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs Luana Silva (BRA)
HEAT 2: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs Erin Brooks (CAN) vs Sarah Baum (SA)
HEAT 3: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs Tyler Wright (AUS) vs Francisca Veselko (POR)
HEAT 4: Caitlin Simmers (US) vs Caroline Marks (US) vs Lakey Peterson (US)
Men's matchups
HEAT 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs Jake Marshall (US) vs Seth Moniz (HAW)
HEAT 2: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs Joel Vaughan (AUS) vs Alejo Muniz (BRA)
HEAT 3: Yago Dora (BRA) vs Connor O'Leary (JPN) vs Matthew McGillivray (SA)
HEAT 4: Jordy Smith (SA) vs Crosby Colapinto (US) vs Luke Thompson (SA)
HEAT 5: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs Cole Houshmand (US) vs Marco Mignot (FRA)
HEAT 6: Griffin Colapinto (US) vs Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs Rio Waida (INA)
HEAT 7: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs Joao Chianca (BRA)
HEAT 8: Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs Alan Cleland (MEX) — World Surf League
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