First off, this event will be won by a natural-footer. There is just too much of technical rights going on in and around the contest area. The first day was run off in perfect-ish rights, and very few lefts were surfed on day 2. It’ll be run off in rights on the finals day as well. While it can be argued ever since Occy won the JBay Open in 1984 that being goofy is most definitely not a hindrance, the Margies rights are just that little bit tricky to actually give the naturals a slight edge.
Let’s move on to the forecast, as we sagaciously predict the possible winners.
Froth-head Slater is starting to smell something in the Margaret River area, and it just might be the sweet and soft smell of victory. He knows that particular fragrance just too well, and like a shark smelling blood, when Kelly knows that there is something possible he starts circling, and moving in for the kill and the top of the Jeep leaderboard! Despite some low scores, he might just be onto that winning curve he has sought for the last few years, and as we all know he wants some closure on his surfing career at the top Championship Tour level, the starts just might be starting to align for him. Let’s hope so. The further Kelly goes in any event, the more entertaining he gets, in heats and in interviews.
If Jordy was a superhero he would be Relaxo Man this year, as he is exuding chill and confidence. Nothing seems to be fazing him, and it’s almost like his destiny is starting to play out for him. Much like Tyler Wright last year when she started saying that “things will fall into place because I know exactly what to do”. Jordy is the same because he knows what to do, and he knows what factors in his life can alter his game plan. As he whittles away those negative factors, so things have started falling into place. On his opening day performance he is the best surfer at this event right now.
Adriano has got one thing down to a tee at this event and that is knowing how to finish off his rides. It seems that not too many other pros can say the same about their performances at the moment, with most surfers falling again and again at the end of the rights at Mainbreak. Not to crit at all, because that sidewash looks like it would knock over a house, but if Adriano can consistently not get swatted off at the end of his rides then anyone can do it. For dogged determination and pure grit, Adriano gets in there with a shout.
Seabass has a good chance of a victory for three reasons. The first one being that he is defending champion and is therefore filled up with various levels of confidence. Secondly, that ten-point ride, one of the most unearthly rides seen on the Championship Tour, must have also done something for his coolness quotient. Finally, Seabass has an amazing habit of doing unusual turns that are so pleasing to the eye, and they do not go unnoticed. Seabass likes to ride all over the wave, on top of the barrel, inside the barrel, in the pocket and on the face, and his alternate approach often makes the difference between a few standard but radical reverse combinations. He’s also an affable champion, and that gets him quite a few nods of respect from various important people. He slips into our top four with relative ease.
