Jordy Smith knocked out as Corona Cero Open J-Bay finals draw near

Update

SURFING NEWS - South Africa’s world No. 1 surfer Jordy Smith was eliminated from the Corona Cero Open J-Bay on Sunday 13 July, stunning local fans as rookie Marco Mignot (FRA) ousted him in the men’s Round of 16. The loss sees Smith relinquish the Yellow Leader Jersey, as the field narrows heading into finals day.

The Corona Cero Open J-Bay, stop number 10 on the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, continued in three- to five-foot Supertubes conditions.

However, a fading swell prompted organisers to call off competition for Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 July. The next call will be made on Wednesday 16 July at 07:45 for a possible 08:03 start.

Mignot ousts South Africa’s top seed
Rookie Marco Mignot shocked the local crowd as he outmanoeuvred Smith in tricky conditions, advancing to his second quarterfinal appearance on the CT. While Smith waited for a set wave that never arrived, Mignot stayed busy, racking up a solid scoreline and leaving Smith needing a near-excellent wave in the dying moments.

“If you take on No. 1 and beat him, it’s a bigger reward,” said Mignot. “I always want to surf against the best and push myself. Before coming here, I was watching clips of Jordy, because I think he’s the best out here.”

Colapinto wins rematch at Supertubes
Griffin Colapinto (USA) got revenge on Cole Houshmand (USA) in their Round of 16 rematch, just a week after facing each other in the final of the VIVO Rio Pro. Colapinto controlled the heat early and sealed it with a 7.50 ride, thanks to powerful turns and clean carves down a J-Bay wall.

“This one matters because I want to make the Final 5,” said Colapinto. “He’s like a big brother to me, but I’m in that position now where every heat is important.”

Yago Dora flies into quarterfinals – and to world No. 1
Yago Dora (BRA), now the new world No. 1, continued his charge at J-Bay. After breaking the fin on his favourite board in his heat against João Chianca (BRA), Dora changed equipment and responded with a huge aerial move that scored an excellent 9.00, securing the win.

“I didn’t want to change boards, so I just changed the fin,” said Dora.

“There was a long lull, and I tried to stay patient. The second-best feeling in surfing is flying through the air and landing in the flats. It’s scary, but when you pull it off, it feels so good.”

Although Dora now holds the Yellow Jersey, Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi remains in contention for the top spot after also advancing.

Men’s Round of 16 results
Heat 1: Yago Dora (BRA) 14.57 def. João Chianca (BRA) 13.67
Heat 2: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.34 def. Jack Robinson (AUS) 9.76
Heat 3: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 13.50 def. Crosby Colapinto (USA) 9.33
Heat 4: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.37 def. Cole Houshmand (USA) 12.57
Heat 5: Marco Mignot (FRA) 14.57 def. Jordy Smith (RSA) 11.17
Heat 6: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.97 def. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 10.60
Heat 7: Connor O’Leary (JPN) 12.83 def. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.33
Heat 8: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 12.00 def. Jake Marshall (USA) 10.00

Men’s quarterfinal matchups
Heat 1: Yago Dora (BRA) vs Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
Heat 2: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs Griffin Colapinto (USA)
Heat 3: Marco Mignot (FRA) vs Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Heat 4: Connor O’Leary (JPN) vs Ethan Ewing (AUS)

Women’s quarterfinal matchups
Heat 1: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs Tyler Wright (AUS)
Heat 2: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs Caroline Marks (USA)
Heat 3: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs Lakey Peterson (USA)
Heat 4: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) vs Isabella Nichols (AUS)