Caption: California's Griffin Colapinto (USA) will join the elite men's Championship Tour in 2018. 
Credit: © WSL / Cestari

LOS ANGELES, California/USA (Tuesday, December 19, 2017) - The 2017 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) season has come to a close, with John John Florence (HAW)and Tyler Wright (AUS) both defending their respective maiden world surfing crowns to become two-time WSL Champions.

The 2018 elite men’s Championship Tour (CT) will be contested by the WSL Top 34, made up of the top 22 finishers on the 2017 CT season, the top 10 finishers on the 2017 Qualifying Series (QS) and two WSL wildcards.

2017 Top 22 CT:
John John Florence (HAW)
Gabriel Medina (BRA)
Julian Wilson (AUS)
Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Owen Wright (AUS)
Kolohe Andino (USA)
Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Joel Parkinson (AUS)
Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Sebastian Zietz (HAW)
Mick Fanning (AUS)
Connor O’Leary (AUS)
Frederico Morais (PRT)
Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Caio Ibelli (BRA)
Michel Bourez (PYF)
Conner Coffin (USA)
Joan Duru (FRA)
Italo Ferreira (BRA)

2017 Top 10 QS (minus double qualifiers from CT):
Griffin Colapinto (USA)
Jesse Mendes (BRA)
Wade Carmichael (AUS)
Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Yago Dora (BRA)
Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Keanu Asing (HAW)
Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
Patrick Gudauskas (USA)

WSL Wildcards: Kelly Slater (USA) and Ian Gouveia (BRA)

CT Men’s Replacement Surfers:
Michael February (ZAF)
Bede Durbidge (AUS)
Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)

The 2018 elite women’s Championship Tour (CT) will be contested by the WSL Top 17, comprised of the top 10 finishers on the 2017 CT, the top six finishers on the 2017 QS and the WSL wildcard.

2017 Top 10 CT:
Tyler Wright (AUS)
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Courtney Conlogue (USA)
Carissa Moore (HAW)
Lakey Peterson (USA)
Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
Sage Erickson (USA)
Johanne Defay (FRA)
Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW)

2017 Top 6 QS (minus double qualifiers from the CT):
Silvana Lima (BRA)
Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
Coco Ho (HAW)
Caroline Marks (USA)
Keely Andrew (AUS)
Paige Hareb (NZL)

WSL Wildcard: Malia Manuel (HAW)

CT Women’s Replacement Surfers:
Macy Callaghan (AUS)
Pauline Ado (FRA)
Dimity Stoyle (AUS)
Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)

The 2018 WSL Championship Tour season will commence with the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast from March 11 - 22, 2018.

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com. 

Caption: Filipe Toledo (BRA) and Frederico Morais (PRT), the winner and runner-up of the Corona Open J-Bay.
Credit: © WSL / Cestari

CLICK HERE FOR VNR: https://wdrv.it/129b8dd58
 

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Thursday, July 20, 2017) - Filipe Toledo (BRA) has won the Corona Open J-Bay today after besting 2017 CT Rookie Frederico Morais (PRT) in the Final. Stop No. 6 of 11 on the 2017 Championship Tour was graced with flawless conditions, resulting in barrier-breaking performances by the world’s best surfers, eight perfect 10-point rides and no shortage of drama.
 
Toledo, who was responsible for two of these Perfect 10s, showcased a new level to his progressive approach and will be rewarded with a boost from 14th to 7th on the Jeep Leaderboard. Today’s result also marks the Brazilian superstar’s best finish of the season to reboot his 2017 World Title campaign.
 
“I can’t believe it,” said Toledo. “J-Bay is always a contest that’s been my dream to win. To surf perfect waves like this that we did the entire contest. I’ve got to thank god for the amazing week that we’ve had. I’ve got my entire family here and supporting me. It’s unbelievable and I’m speechless. I think I might leave my hair like this for the rest of the year.”
 
Toledo’s fourth CT win did not come easy as a stacked field of competitors put the 22-year-old to task in each round. Toledo previously dispatched local favorite Jordy Smith (ZAF) in the Quarterfinals with two impressive 9-point rides and then eliminated Julian Wilson (AUS) in the Semifinals.
 
“It has been an amazing week,” Toledo said. “This is definitely going to be the competition I remember for forty or fifty years, not just because I won but because of the level of surfing during this whole week. With J-Bay, the perfect waves and the level of surfing, it was perfect. Thank you to my crew that has supported me. I want to thank my wife and my daughter who have been here all week supporting me.”
 

Caption: Filipe Toledo (BRA) claimed his fourth CT victory today at the Corona Open J-Bay.
Credit: © WSL / Cestari

The intense Final saw exciting exchanges between the Toledo and Morais. The two progressive challengers continued to deliver excellent-range scores for the J-Bay crowd, both escaping big barrels and unleashing big carves. With ten minutes left on the clock, another set provided both surfers an opportunity to improve their scores. Morais locked in a near-perfect 9.40 to close the gap to just 0.27 points on Toledo’s 18.00 two-wave total. Toledo attempted to improve his scoreline, but left priority with Morais for the remaining two minutes of the heat. Morais was not able to meet the requirement, giving Toledo the win.
 
Despite losing to Toledo in the Final, Morais delivered phenomenal surfing throughout his first CT event in South Africa. The rookie previously stunned the competition with a Perfect 10 to defeat reigning WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) in the Quarterfinals, before eliminating 2015 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the Semifinals. Morais’ career-best finish will now move him up from World No. 18 to 12th on the Jeep Leaderboard.
 
“I just love this place, it is amazing,” Morais said. “Everyone is so nice, the waves are amazing, the weather is really similar to home, and the vibe that you feel here is crazy good. It is an unforgettable place. Thank you to everyone for watching and supporting us. First Final ever on the World Tour and it is amazing.
 
“Surfing against John (Florence), Mick (Fanning), Adriano (de Souza), Gabriel (Medina), Filipe (Toledo) was a crazy week,” continued Morais. “It is always a big challenge and you have to step up your game when you are against those guys. They are the best surfers in the world and World Champs and if you want to beat them you have to be prepared for everything. It is amazing to represent Portugal and be the first Portuguese surfer doing a Final on the World Tour. Thank you to everyone at home.”
 

Caption: Frederico Morais (PRT) claimed his best-ever result on the CT by advancing on to the Final of the Corona Open J-Bay.
Credit: © WSL / Cestari

2015 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) was dispatched by runner-up Morais in the Semifinals after the rookie posted two excellent-range scores. Today’s result is Medina’s first Semifinal berth since Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and his career-best result at this event (previously earned 5th place finishes in 2014, 2015, 2016). Previously at No. 11 on the Jeep Leaderboard, the Brazilian moves to 9th.
 
Julian Wilson (AUS) secured his best result of 2017 with a Semifinal berth today where he was defeated by Toledo. Wilson had a great run during the event including a Perfect 10 in Round 3 and remains at 8th on the Jeep Leaderboard.
 
Current Jeep Ratings Leader Matt Wilkinson (AUS) was defeated by Semifinalist Wilson in the last Quarterfinal match-up. Despite his 5th place result in South Africa, Wilkinson will retain the Jeep Leader Jersey heading into the next CT stop, the Billabong Pro Tahiti.
 
“I started that heat and I fell on one really good wave that put me out of rhythm, but I am stoked that I came back to nearly take the heat,” Wilkinson said. “To watch all the guys that were in the race for this event dropping 9s and 10s, and to be the last guy left was pretty nice. To surf against Jules (Julian Wilson) in pumping waves is awesome. I will probably go to Teahupo’o to practice if there is a swell. I am excited to go back and hopefully get pumping waves.”
 
Two-time event winner Jordy Smith (ZAF) was eliminated in the Quarterfinals by Toledo and the 5th place finish (his third of the season) will see the South African remain at No. 3 on the rankings. It was an incredible event for Smith who posted a Perfect 20-point heat in Round 3 and another Perfect 10 in Round 5.
 
“This comp has had some amazing points for me and some where I’ve struggled, but overall I’m proud of myself and I stood tall between those moments and dealt with them,” Smith said. “Filipe (Toledo) surfed great in that last heat and he definitely got better waves than I did and that’s really the difference out there. I’m just really, really tired. Yesterday was just a big day for me. I just want to thank Jeffreys Bay for all the support and everybody that came down, it really meant a lot and I really appreciate that. I learn every time when I come here. There’s a lot of pressure because everybody wants me to do well and I want to do well you just have to take each heat for what it is. The year really starts now and Tahiti is next so I’m focused on that now and we’ll see where that puts me.”
 
The next stop on the 2017 Men’s WSL CT will be the Billabong Pro Tahiti from August 11 - 22, 2017. The women will next compete at the Vans US Open of Surfing, which opens July 31 and runs through August 6, 2017.

The events will be broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL's Facebook page. Also check local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal and as part of the EDGEsport Network.
 
For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com.
 
Corona Open J-Bay Final Result:
1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 18.00
2: Frederico Morais (PRT) 17.73
 
Corona Open J-Bay Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Frederico Morais (PRT) 17.37 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.70
SF 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16.63 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 11.33
 
Corona Open J-Bay Quarterfinal Results:
Heat 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 17.40 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 11.33
Heat 2: Frederico Morais (PRT) 19.77 def. John John Florence (HAW) 18.67
Heat 3: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 18.70 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.26
Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.07 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.77
 
2017 WSL Men’s Jeep Leaderboard (After Corona Open J-Bay):
1 - Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 31,950 points
2 - John John Florence (HAW) 31,700 points
3 - Jordy Smith (ZAF) 31,350 points
4 - Owen Wright (AUS) 30,150 points
5 - Adriano de Souza (BRA) 27,900 points

Caption: Reigning WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) delivered the day's highest heat total, 19.37 out of a possible 20, to win his Round 1 heat and advance directly to Round 3.
Credit: © WSL / Cestari

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Saturday, July 15, 2017) - The Corona Open J-Bay, stop No. 6 on the 2017 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), got off to an incredible start today running through Round 1 in excellent conditions at Supertubes. The world’s best surfers made the most of the overhead surf on offer and the WSL Champions dominated the day’s action and each won their opening heat and advanced directly to the third round.
 
Reigning WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) was the performer of the day and commanded the lineup in his Round 1 match-up against 2017 WSL rookie Ian Gouveia (BRA)and trials winner Dale Staples (ZAF). The current World No. 2 posted three nine-point rides including a near-perfect 9.70 for two tube rides and two incredible turns. Local hero Staples looked in fine form to finish the heat in second place with a 16.03 heat total while the Brazilian rookie failed to escape combination. The World Champion sealed the win with an excellent 9.67 and a 19.37 heat total (out of a possible 20), the best of the day.
 
“The waves are firing right now, this is the best J-Bay I’ve surfed during the contest,” Florence said. “Being out there by yourself you can position yourself exactly where you want to take off and then you have this big open canvas in front of you, it’s crazy. My board is called the Ghost, I rode a 6’2 at Margaret River, and a 6’0 here and since we’ve started working on this board I haven’t found a wave where it doesn't work. It just gives you so much confidence throughout the practice surfs when you’re not trading off boards.”
 
An impossibly deep barrel from 2014 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) was rewarded with a near-perfect 9.93, the highest single-wave score of the day, and a confident victory over opponents Stuart Kennedy (AUS) and Caio Ibelli (BRA). With four previous Quarterfinal finishes at Jeffreys Bay, Medina is keen to post a strong result in South Africa to move up inside the top ten on the Jeep Leaderboard.
 
“I’ve been watching a lot of heats this morning so I really wanted to get the first big wave,” said Medina. “I had so much fun surfing here today and I’m stoked to win that heat. It’s really fun to surf out here today. I tried to make sure I found the big waves. It’s really hard on your backhand when it’s fast, so you have to choose the right waves but you never know what J-Bay is going to do.”
 
Round 1 Heat 5 was another huge match-up and two-time event winner Jordy Smith (ZAF) took the early advantage over Conner Coffin (USA) and event wildcard Michael February (ZAF). Coffin quickly leapt into first place with a technical barrel followed by a series of critical maneuvers and was rewarded with a 9.37. Smith, currently sitting at No. 3 on the Jeep Leaderboard, continued to scour the lineup for the 8.72 required but a final attempt with two minutes remaining wasn’t enough and he is relegated to elimination Round 2. Fan favorite February had the crowd on their feet, but didn’t have the power to challenge Smith and Coffin and was left in a combination situation.
 
“That was just so fun,” said Coffin. “We have so much swell coming and this morning was just pumping. Perfect conditions and just three people out - that’s the stuff I dream of. I think I’ve surfed that wave in my head so many times before. When it popped up I was just so excited so I just had to stay calm and the wave was incredible. I’ve been here for a while and there’s been waves every day so it’s been a good opportunity to surf out here. Jordy (Smith) is just my favorite surfer and I really look up to him so I knew it would be a tough battle out here and I would have to surf my best.”
 
Jeremy Flores (FRA) delivered another impressive performance and the first upset of the day in Round 1 Heat 4. Flores took to the lineup in against current No. 1 on the Jeep Leaderboard Matt Wilkinson (AUS) and Ethan Ewing (AUS). The Australian rookie, who has yet to win a heat on the CT in his opening season, came out battling to take an early lead but Flores stormed into first place with a 7.83 and quickly improved his scoreline with an excellent 9.17 for multiple barrels and finished with a 17.00 heat total. Wilkinson and Ewing will surf again in elimination Round 2.
 
“That wave was so beautiful,” said Flores. “When I was paddling I felt a bit of pressure because that was the best wave I’ve had an opportunity to be on for the past ten days so I knew I shouldn’t blow it. I don’t usually claim but I couldn’t help it - there’s so much energy in the crowd here. It’s hard to keep composed and really relaxed when conditions are so good. You need to really pace your flow and your speed out here because the rides are so long. This is what we’re on this tour for - to surf waves like this - and when we get them it changes everything!”
 
Three-time WSL Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) opened his Round 1 match-up with a bang and posted an 8.50 for a series of big carves. The defending and four-time event winner improved his lead with another excellent score, an 8.73, to advance easily to Round 3 over Sebastian Zietz (HAW) and Joan Duru (FRA).
 
“It’s really nice out there,” Fanning said. “J-Bay is one of my favorite waves and what better place to be. I was really nervous before my heat because I just couldn't wait to get out there. The conditions are pretty ludicrous out there so you just have to calm your nerves and focus on the job at hand.”
 
The 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) powered through his first heat at Jeffreys Bay by opening with an excellent 9.10 for a deep tube ride. A back-up 7.17 sealed the win for the four-time event winner, despite a last-minute attempt from Julian Wilson (AUS), sending the Australian and Kanoa Igarashi (USA) to elimination Round 2.
 
“This place is so beautiful - brisk weather, great waves, long walls and a lot of speed on the waves,” Slater said. “It’s such a fantastic place. This is surprising, I didn’t think we’d be surfing today but now we’ve got four or five really good days ahead and we’ll have a great contest. Before the heat I said that if I got a good wave I would claim it, so I did.”
 
The opening heat of the day saw two-time event winner Joel Parkinson (USA) take on Brazilians Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) and Miguel Pupo (BRA). The 2012 WSL Champion looked hungry for his third win at Jeffreys Bay. Dantas found an incredible stand-up barrel but wasn’t able to complete the ride and the score fell short. Parkinson meanwhile used his experience to find an excellent 8.23 and take the heat win.
 
“I’m really glad that we’re finally underway,” said Parkinson. “Wiggolly’s barrel was amazing and I really thought he was going to get a nine but accidents happen. He’s such an amazing surfer, he’s beaten me out here before, so I’m sure he’ll bounce back. We’re lucky enough in Australia to have a lot of great point breaks so I think that really helps get a good read on this type of wave.”
 
An incredibly close heat between 2015 WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA), 2017 WSL rookie Frederico Morais (PRT) and Jadson Andre (BRA) played out in Round 1 Heat 3 with the trio separated by just 1.26 points. De Souza opened strong with a 7.83 to build his scoreline. The Portuguese rookie chased the World No. 3 throughout the heat but his final ride fell just 0.10 of a point short of the required scored and he will have to surf again in Round 2 along with Andre.
 
“I’m so happy to make this heat,” said De Souza. “Frederico (Morais) and Jadson (Andre) both surfed pretty great out there. I’m stoked with the win and to be back in J-Bay. When I have the chance I always come early. This year I came two weeks early and I got a great swell so it was a great opportunity to get some practice in. Now I’m going to watch the event and try and learn as much as I can from the other guys in the lineup.”

Event officials will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. local time to assess the conditions and make the next call.

Surfline, official forecaster for the Corona Open J-Bay, are calling for:
 
Overlapping SW to SSW swells through the weekend will provide fun to mid size surf. Light offshore flow Saturday will become strong/breezy offshore flow Sunday. Monday will see a decreasing trend for the first half of the day as offshore flow likely continues. A new, and potentially strong, SW to SSW swell looks likely to build in through Tuesday before easing Wednesday. Favorable wind looks likely. There is potential for more SW swell for the end of next week. 
 
The event will be broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL's Facebook page. Also check the local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal and as part of the EDGEsport Network.

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com.

 Corona Open J-Bay Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.32, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 13.60, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 10.33
Heat 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.84, Owen Wright (AUS) 11.16, Josh Kerr (AUS) 9.00
Heat 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.83, Frederico Morais (PRT) 13.73, Jadson Andre (BRA) 12.57
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 17.00, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 12.27, Ethan Ewing (AUS) 9.93
Heat 5: Conner Coffin (USA) 17.04, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.76, Michael February (ZAF) 12.40
Heat  6: John John Florence (HAW) 19.37, Dale Staples (ZAF) 16.03, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 13.07
Heat  7: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.27, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), Kolohe Andino (USA) 7.83
Heat  8: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.27, Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.84, Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 8.77
Heat  9: Jack Freestone (AUS) 16.00, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 13.66, Connor O’Leary (AUS) 11.00
Heat 10: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 18.83, Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 14.77, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 9.17
Heat 11: Mick Fanning (AUS) 17.23, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 9.83, Joan Duru (FRA) 6.17
Heat 12: Michel Bourez (PYF) 16.67, Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.17, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 10.60

Corona Open J-Bay Round 2 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Dale Staples (ZAF)
Heat 2: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Michael February (ZAF)
Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Ethan Ewing (AUS)
Heat 4: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 5: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat  6: Connor O’Leary (AUS) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat  7: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
Heat  8: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Heat  9: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Stuart Kennedy (AUS)
Heat 10: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Joan Duru (FRA)
Heat 11: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Heat 12: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs. Ian Gouveia (BRA)

Caption: From L to R: Dale Staples, Matt Wilkinson, Jordy Smith, John John Florence, Mick Fanning and Adriano De Souza at the press session for the Corona Open J-Bay. 
Credit: © WSL / Tostee

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Tuesday, July 11, 2017) - The world’s best surfers have arrived in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, for Stop No. 6 on the 2017 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Corona Open J-Bay. The event window opens tomorrow and runs until July 23, 2017 and will resume this season’s thrilling title race, with the top five athletes on the Jeep Leaderboard separated by just 600 points.

Current No. 1 on the Jeep Leaderboard Matt Wilkinson (AUS) returns to South Africa this year wearing the Jeep Leader Jersey at this event for the second season running after his recent win at Stop No. 5 in Fiji. The Australian will need a strong result at Jeffreys Bay to retain the yellow jersey with four surfers close behind him on the rankings. Wilkinson will match up against Jeremy Flores (FRA) and Ethan Ewing (AUS) in Round 1.
 
“Coming into the last event the Jeep Leader Jersey didn’t even seem like an option so to come out of Fiji back in the yellow jersey is great,” Wilkinson said at the press session today. “At this stage last year I had a pretty solid lead for the first time in my career, which really came out of the blue. Now I feel like it’s different and there’s four guys right behind me by only a few hundred points. I’m really excited to be back in this position and hopefully this year I don’t fall off so many times out here and I can win a few heats.
 
“Last year I came here in a strange situation and it was a bit scary,” continued Wilkinson. “Now I know that unless I keep attacking for the rest of the year I’m not going to keep this position. I’m more aware of what it’s going to take and I’m definitely excited. It’s about time I step it up and win this for the goofy-footers. When it was big and pumping out here in 2014 it felt like the best back-hand surfing I’ve ever done. The forecast is looking really good so hopefully I can do it again.”
 
Reigning WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) sits just 250 points behind Wilkinson and the 2016 event finalist will meet Ian Gouveia (BRA) and Dale Staples (ZAF) in Round 1.
 
“J-Bay was a great event for me last year and surfing in that final with Mick (Fanning) was incredible,” Florence said. “I’m excited to get some waves this year and hope we get some firing barrels. My goal is to win another world title for sure but you never know what happens and there’s still a lot of events to go. I learnt a lot last year and I’m going to keep working hard and keep learning.”
 
Three-time WSL Champion and four-time event winner Mick Fanning (AUS) is yet to make it beyond the Quarterfinals this season and sits outside the Top 10 in 13th place coming into the event. The defending event winner is one of the most dominant surfers at Jeffreys Bay and in need of a strong result to move up the rankings. Fanning will take on Sebastian Zietz (HAW)and Joan Duru (FRA) in Round 1 of competition.
 
“I really feel at home here and so comfortable and relaxed,” said Fanning. “The people are so nice and the wave is amazing. When you come to a wave you love then the excitement levels really goes up and I feel much more motivated. I get up early in the dark each morning to check the surf and I can’t wait for things to get underway. This is a place that I really look forward to each year.”
 
Two-time event winner and the sole South African on the Championship Tour Jordy Smith (ZAF) is currently tied in third place on the Jeep Leaderboard. Fresh from victory at the Ballito Pro Qualifying Series 10,000 event, Smith looks in fine form and will battle Conner Coffin (USA) and Michael February (ZAF) in Round 1.
 
“This is by far one of my favorite places in the world and I love coming here each year,” said Smith. “I don’t feel much pressure surfing in front of my home crown because I’ve surfed here my whole life. The year for me has been great so far but it’s such a tight world title race. I’m extremely thankful and excited to be in the position I’m in now and I don’t think I’ve been this excited since I qualified for the tour. My year starts now and I know I’ve got to put my head down and give it everything.”
 
2015 WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) sits in equal third place on the Jeep Leaderboard. With a win at Supertubes in 2012 when the event was on the Qualifying Series and a string of Quarterfinal finishes, the Brazilian is keen to improve upon his past results. De Souza will surf against Frederico Morais (PRT) and Jadson Andre (BRA) in Round 1.
 
“I definitely feel better now than in 2015 when I was carrying the yellow jersey for six events and felt a lot of pressure,” said De Souza. “I’m feeling great and very blessed to be back here. I’ve been here for two weeks so I’ve had some time to work on my surfing and get some time before everyone else got here. I want so badly to win this contest - I’m excited and want to do well. I’m trying not to bring pressure to the ocean. 2012 was such a special year and those memories are some that I’ll keep forever and this year I hope we have waves like that again. We have a different story and a different scenario this year and I can see everyone really fighting for the world title here in Jeffreys Bay this year.”
 
Local surfer Dale Staples (ZAF) will join the WSL Top 34 as a wildcard after winning the 2017 edition of the JBU Supertrials and takes on Florence and 2017 WSL Rookie Ian Gouveia (BRA) in the opening Round of competition.
 
“Surfing J-Bay with just a couple of guys is just incredible and I can’t wait,” said Staples. “When I first competed here I was new on the QS but I’ve had had some more time now and I’m more confident and feeling much better about competing this year.”
 
Staples will be joined by fellow South African Michael February (ZAF) who has been awarded the second WSL wildcard after a stellar run of results on the Qualifying Series (QS) this year. February will face Smith and Conner Coffin (USA) in Round 1.
 
“I’m really, really happy about the wildcard for J-Bay,” said February. “Reaching the Semis at Ballito was such a cool achievement and then when Travis Logie (WSL Deputy Commissioner) told me about the wildcard I was really stoked.

“I was given an injury replacement spot at J-Bay in 2015, but that was a last minute decision so this time I have a little more time to prepare for it,” continued February. “The forecasts look like the event will start a couple of days into the window period and after this last result I’m feeling comfortable and couldn’t be better prepared for going into a CT event.”


Corona, title partner of the event, will be showcasing their partnership with Parley at the event and reinforcing their commitment to protect the oceans, bringing Parley for the Oceans’ AIR strategy to end marine plastic pollution (Avoid; Intercept; Redesign plastic) to a WSL audience. Corona and Parley for the Oceans are working together to apply this thinking to the event and are developing several initiatives to reduce the plastic footprint of the Corona Open J-Bay event, educate surfers and audiences about the need to develop more responsible behaviors when it comes to single-use plastic, and raise global awareness of this issue.

Surfline, official forecaster for the Corona Open J-Bay, are calling for:
 
Small/fun SSW swell will build through Wednesday before easing on Thursday. A larger swell is expected to build through Friday before temporarily trending down on Saturday. Medium size (or possibly better) SSW swells are lining up for Sunday and Tuesday as well.
 
The event will be broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL's Facebook page. Also check the local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal and as part of the EDGEsport Network.

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com.
 
Corona Open J-Bay Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 2: Owen Wright (AUS), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Frederico Morais (PRT), Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 4: Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Ethan Ewing (AUS)
Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Conner Coffin (USA), Michael February (ZAF)
Heat  6: John John Florence (HAW), Ian Gouveia (BRA), Dale Staples (ZAF)
Heat  7: Kolohe Andino (USA), Italo Ferreira (BRA), Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
Heat  8: Julian Wilson (AUS), Kelly Slater (USA), Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Heat  9: Connor O’Leary (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Jack Freestone (AUS)
Heat 10: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Stuart Kennedy (AUS)
Heat 11: Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Mick Fanning (AUS), Joan Duru (FRA)
Heat 12: Michel Bourez (PYF), Filipe Toledo (BRA), Ezekiel Lau (HAW)

Caption: Matt Wilkinson (AUS), current World No. 1, will look to strengthen his 2017 World Title campaign at the Corona Open J-Bay. 
Credit: © WSL / Cestari

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Wednesday, July 5, 2017) - The world’s best surfers are one week away from competing at the acclaimed righthander of Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, for Stop No. 6 on the 2017 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Corona Open J-Bay. The event marks the halfway point on the CT and will resume this season’s thrilling title race, with the top five athletes on the Jeep Leaderboard separated by just 600 points.

Universally regarded as one of the best waves on the planet, Jeffreys Bay boasts a quality righthand pointbreak that delivers unparalleled high-speed consistency, making it the perfect platform to test the world’s best. The event holds a competitive window of July 12 - 23, 2017 and is the only CT stop on the African continent.

Matt Wilkinson (AUS) heads into the event wearing the coveted Jeep Leader Jersey after an impressive win at the OK Fiji Pro. Wilkinson’s best result in South Africa is a Semifinal finish in 2014 and this year the Australian will need to place higher in the event than the other surfers in the top 5 in order to retain his position at No. 1 on the Jeep Leaderboard.

Just 250 points behind the Australian is reigning WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW), who made it to the Final of the J-Bay Open in 2016. With 13th place finishes at the previous two events this season, Florence is in need of a strong result in South Africa to get back on track to defend his World Title. Florence is set to meet Ian Gouveia (BRA) and one of the wildcards in Round 1.

Jordy Smith (ZAF), Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Owen Wright (AUS) are all tied for third place with 26,150 points on the Jeep Leaderboard, sitting close behind Florence and Wilkinson.

Smith, a two-time event winner (2010 and 2011) and the lone South African on the CT, is a perennial threat at Jeffreys Bay. The hometown hero is injury free this season and in excellent form to hunt down his third event win and maiden World Title. In the opening round of competition Smith will take on Conner Coffin (USA) and an event wildcard.

2015 WSL Champion, De Souza, has had consistently good results in J-Bay, including six Quarterfinal finishes. Despite never having made it to the Semifinals on the CT level, De Souza did claim a win at Jeffreys Bay in 2012 when the event was part of the Qualifying Series. The Brazilian will match-up against 2017 CT Rookie Frederico Morais (PRT) and compatriot Jadson Andre (BRA) in Round 1.

Mick Fanning (AUS), currently ranked in 13th place on the Jeep Leaderboard, is the defending event winner and one of the most dominant surfers at Jeffreys Bay. Fanning claimed his fourth event win last season with an emotional comeback one year after a dramatic incident during the 2015 J-Bay Open Final where Fanning was attacked on live television by what is believed to be a Great White Shark. Fanning will take on Sebastian Zietz (HAW) and Joan Duru (FRA) in Round 1 of competition.

Dale Staples (ZAF) from St Francis Bay will join the WSL Top 34 as a wildcard after winning the 2017 edition of the JBU Supertrials. The remaining wildcard will be decided following the conclusion of the WSL Qualifying Series 10,000 event, the Ballito Pro.

Press can apply for a media credential for the Corona Open J-Bay by completing the online application form HERE.

The event will be broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL's Facebook page. Also check the local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal and as part of the EDGEsport Network.

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com.

Corona Open J-Bay Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 2: Owen Wright (AUS), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Frederico Morais (PRT), Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 4: Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Ethan Ewing (AUS)
Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Conner Coffin (USA), TBD
Heat  6: John John Florence (HAW), Ian Gouveia (BRA), TBD
Heat  7: Kolohe Andino (USA), Italo Ferreira (BRA), Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
Heat  8: Julian Wilson (AUS), Kelly Slater (USA), Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Heat  9: Connor O’Leary (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Jack Freestone (AUS)
Heat 10: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Stuart Kennedy (AUS)
Heat 11: Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Mick Fanning (AUS), Joan Duru (FRA)
Heat 12: Michel Bourez (PYF), Filipe Toledo (BRA), Ezekiel Lau (HAW)

ELITE WSL MEN'S & WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR CLASSES DETERMINED FOR 2017
WSL CHAMPIONS FLORENCE AND WRIGHT LEAD WORLD’S BEST SURFERS NEXT SEASON
NINE COUNTRIES REPRESENTED IN 2017 BATTLE FOR THE WORLD SURFING CROWN
MORE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: John John Florence (HAW) and Tyler Wright (AUS) will lead the men's and women's fields respectively into the 2017 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour season.

Tyler Wright (AUS), reigning WSL Women’s Champion and winner of five of 10 CT events in 2016 (including the closer at the Maui Women’s Pro), will lead the world’s best female surfers into battle next season. The 2017 WSL Top 17 is comprised of the Top 10 finishers from the 2016 Championship Tour, the Top 6 finishers (barring double qualifiers) from the 2016 Qualifying Series and the WSL Wildcard.

2016 CT Top 10 Finishers:
1 - Tyler Wright (AUS)
2 - Courtney Conlogue (USA)
3 - Carissa Moore (HAW)
4 - Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW)
5 - Johanne Defay (FRA)
6 - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
7 - Malia Manuel (HAW)
8 - Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
9 - Sage Erickson (USA)
10 - Laura Enever (AUS)

Wildcard:
- Lakey Peterson (USA)

2016 Top 6 QS Finishers:
- Silvana Lima (BRA)
- Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
- Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
- Keely Andrew (AUS)
- Coco Ho (HAW)
- Pauline Ado (FRA)

Replacements:
- Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)
- Alessa Quizon (HAW)
- Chelsea Tuach (BRB)
- Isabella Nichols (AUS)

The 2017 WSL Women’s Wildcard has been allocated to Lakey Peterson (USA).

Caption: Silvana Lima (BRA), former WSL Women's Runner-Up and perpetual danger woman, returns in 2017 as the frontrunner off the Qualifying Series.
Image: WSL / Smith

John John Florence (HAW), reigning WSL Men’s Champion, will look to defend his maiden title against the 2017 WSL Top 34 in 2017. Wrapping the 2016 season on Monday with Michel Bourez’s (PYF) victory at the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons, next year’s elite men’s class has been solidified with the Top 22 finishers from the 2016 Championship Tour, the Top 10 finishers (barring double qualifiers) from the 2016 Qualifying Series and two WSL Wildcards.

Caption: Michel Bourez (PYF) capped off the 2017 season with a win at the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons rocketing him to 6th on the year-end rankings.
Image: WSL / Heff

2016 CT Top 22 Finishers:
1 - John John Florence (HAW)
2 - Jordy Smith (ZAF)
3 - Gabriel Medina (BRA)
4 - Kolohe Andino (USA)
5 - Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
6 - Michel Bourez (PYF)
7 - Kelly Slater (USA)
8 - Julian Wilson (AUS)
9 - Joel Parkinson (AUS)
10 - Filipe Toledo (BRA)
11 - Adriano de Souza (BRA)
12 - Sebastian Zietz (HAW)
13 - Josh Kerr (AUS)
14 - Adrian Buchan (AUS)
15 - Italo Ferreira (BRA)
16 - Caio Ibelli (BRA)
17 - Mick Fanning (AUS)
18 - Conner Coffin (USA)
19 - Stuart Kennedy (AUS)
20 - Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
21 - Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)
22 - Miguel Pupo (BRA)

Wildcards:
- Bede Durbidge (AUS)
- Owen Wright (AUS)

2016 Top 10 QS Finishers:
- Connor O'Leary (AUS)
- Ethan Ewing (AUS)
- Frederico Morais (PRT)
- Joan Duru (FRA)
- Leonardo Fioravanti (ITL)
- Jeremy Flores (FRA)
- Jadson Andre (BRA)
- Ian Gouveia (BRA)
- Jack Freestone (AUS)
- Ezekiel Lau (HAW)

Replacements:
- Nat Young (USA)
- Bino Lopes (BRA)
- Keanu Asing (HAW)
- Jesse Mendes (BRA)

The WSL Commissioner’s Office has allocated the two available wildcards for the 2017 WSL Top 34 class to Bede Durbidge (AUS) and Owen Wright (AUS).

Wright's acceptance of his wildcard position for 2017 is contingent upon medical evaluation and approval for competition prior to the start of the season.

Should Wright be unable to accept his position for the 2017 season, the wildcard spot will then be allocated to Alejo Muniz (BRA).

The world's best surfers will return to competition at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast on March 14, 2017.

The full 2017 WSL Schedule can be found HERE

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com

OWEN WRIGHT WITHDRAWS FROM SECOND HALF OF 2016 WSL SEASON
- AUSTRALIAN SELECTS TO FOCUS ON CONTINUED REHABILITATION UNTIL 2017
- MORE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Owen Wright (AUS), former WSL No. 3, has withdrawn from the remainder of the 2016 season, opting to continue his rehabilitation for a head injury sustained at Pipeline in December.
Image: WSL / Kirstin

LOS ANGELES, California/USA (Tuesday, July 19, 2016) - Owen Wright (AUS) has withdrawn from the second half of the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour season, choosing to focus on continued rehabilitation following his December head injury.

“It’s always difficult being away from the water for me,” Wright said. “It’s also a major challenge to give myself time to heal because I want to be back in the singlet so badly. That said, I understand that I have more rehabilitation ahead of me until that’s possible. I’m feeling better every day and I want to thank everyone for the support so far. I miss my friends and family on tour and I’m looking forward to seeing them all again soon. Thanks again for the support.”

A WSL Title contender in the 2015 race, Wright suffered a serious concussion in the leadup to the final event of the season, the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons, at the world-famous Banzai Pipeline. A standout in the warm-up sessions ahead of the event, Wright was mowed down by a sizable swell on the morning of December 10 with the impact causing a serious head trauma. Withdrawing from both the event and the title race, Wright remained under medical observation in Hawaii before traveling back to Australia to receive ongoing treatment.

Prior to the start of the 2016 season, the Australian announced his withdrawal from the opening half of the year. While having made considerable progress in his rehabilitation, Wright has chosen to continue his road to recovery throughout the rest of the year before returning to the elite level of competition.

“Owen is one of the most impressive athletes to ever grace our sport and the WSL fully supports him taking the time he needs to return to 100%,” Kieren Perrow, WSL Commissioner, said. “He’s been sorely missed on tour this year, but I know that he’s in all our thoughts and we all look forward to seeing him healthy again and sharing the lineup with us.”

Wright’s WSL Top 34 position in the remaining events of the season - Tahiti, Trestles, France, Portugal and Pipeline - will be filled by first replacement Stuart Kennedy (AUS).

The 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour has just completed Stop No. 6 of the season, the J-Bay Open, where three-time WSL Champion Mick Fanning (AUS)proved victorious in an emotional comeback appearance following last year’s shark attack.

The next stop on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour will be the Billabong Pro Tahiti from August 19 - 30, 2016.

For more information, log onto WorldSurfLeague.com