Top WSL Championship Tour Surfers Knocked Out of J-Bay Open Finals

Patience was the name of the game at the J-Bay Open at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa. After a delay due to unfavorable conditions, events resumed, and major upsets occurred. Currently, the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour rankings are led by Molly Picklum of Australia and Yago Dora of Brazil. Picklum has amassed 61,145 points while Dora holds 51,430 points. All signs pointed toward the duo taking home the J-Bay victory, but events took a turn during the final round.

Bryan and O'Leary Clinch J-Bay Open Victory

During the men's semifinals, Yago Dora took the lead over American surfer Griffin Colapinto with a score of 16.76, edging out Colapinto's 16.33. Dora advanced to the finals and was pinned against rising star Connor O'Leary, who dominated Filipe Toledo in the semifinals. Toledo landed a score of 14.83, but it was no match for O'Leary's clean 10-point ride and his 6.33 wave for a combined 16.33.

With No. 1 surfer Dora competing against O'Leary, Dora was expected to take the victory, particularly once he landed a 7.00 wave. However, O'Leary was unwilling to back down. His first wave only amounted to a 3.33, but later pulled off an 8.17 and a 7.50, resulting in 15.67 points. Despite only picking up three waves, he excelled on the water and secured his first Championship Tour victory.