Worlds Best Head For J-bay
ASP International, Australia (Thursday, July 12th) The Billabong Pro is set to commence next week on the renowned waves of Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, with the race for the 2001 World Championship Tour (WCT) title closer than it has been in years. The US$250,000 tournament is the fourth stop of eight on this year’s schedule and boasts an 11-day waiting period to utilize ideal conditions.
Only the best six results for each of the 45 WCT campaigners count towards this year’s final rating, making every event crucial. With the first three tournaments producing three different winners, one of whom was a wildcard entrant, there are just 190 points covering the top three on the ratings going into J-Bay.
Factor in the 20 percent bonus ratings points due to the ‘prime’ status awarded to Supertubes, the venue for the event, and the scene is set for an epic confrontation at one of the planet’s premier point breaks.
Additionally, only three of last year’s top 10 surfers retain a lofty position on the current standings. Current leader CJ Hobgood (USA), rating’s runner-up and 1999 world champion Mark Occhilupo (Aus), together with current number three Cory Lopez (USA) are in command. Most eyes will be focused on ‘Occy’, though, to see if he can weave his magic at J-Bay to regain the top spot. Hobgood, 22, who finished equal third last week in Brazil after being eliminated by Occhilupo in the semifinals, stated, “J-Bay’s next and everyone knows how good ‘Occ’ is there.”
After a disappointing 2000 season following his dramatic comeback to clinch the 1999 title, Occhilupo has been going from strength to strength on this year’s tour. The 35-year-old opened with an equal ninth at Bells Beach (Aus), finished equal third in Tahiti, and then placed second to fellow Australian Trent Munro in Brazil. “J-Bay is such a great wave and it really suits my style, but the tournament has eluded me of late,” said Occhilupo. “I have had a win there, but that was a long time ago (1984). I’m going early this year, it’s a really important event.”
Poised right behind the frontrunners is reining world champ Sunny Garcia (Haw), a fiercely competitive opponent who, despite two finals appearances at Supertubes over the years, has yet to claim victory in the long right-handers.
Two fifth places and a ninth in 2001 have left the champ 550 points off the pace. WCT members Paul Canning and Greg Emslie will lead the South African charge, with fellow countrymen Simon Nicholson and Brad Bricknell adding to the local campaign as tournament wildcards.
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