In an event that featured some of the best wave seen in professional surfing history, the J-Bay Open provided some groundbreaking performances from Mick Fanning and Matt Wilkinson in particular and some huge scores. We crunched the data to come up with some key statistics, and their possible meaning, from the competition.
J-Bay Open winner, Mick Fanning may well defend his world title after his second event win this year. Photo: ASP/Kirstin
Quarterfinalists Av Total Heat Score
Mick Fanning 15.73
Matt Wilkinson 15.45
Joel Parkinson 15.32
Owen Wright 14.58
Taj Burrow 14.34
Gabriel Medina 13.81
Adriano De Souza 12.50
Alejo Muniz 10.83
Analysis: Mick Fanning’s dominance is showed by his highest average heat score, made even more remarkable in that he surfed more heats than any other in the competition (7). Wilko’s big numbers also reflect his incredible run and would have been even higher if not for a poor Round 1 total of 10.67. It’s also interesting that Alejo made it all the way to the quarterfinals, despite a poor return of just under 11 for each heat.
Jordy Smith put the axe into every wave but faltered at an event he really wanted to win. Photo: ASP/Kirstin
Ten Highest Heat Totals
Jordy Smith 19.80
Joel Parkinson 18.83
Matt Wilkinson 18.36
Matt Wilkinson 17.83
Freddy Pattachia 17.93
Owen Wright 17.40
Kai Otton 17.24
Owen Wright 17.03
Mick Fanning 17.00
Mick Fanning 17.00
Analysis
Jordy’s almost perfect score stands out, but seeing as it came in Round 1, it ended up counting for very little. Mick may have not had any in the top 8, but his consistency of high scores was always putting immense pressure on his opponents.
Surprisingly one of the best goofy-footers on tour, Nat Young, had a poor showing at J-Bay despite blowing fans like this. Photo: ASP/Kirstin
Ten Lowest Heat Totals
Glenn Hall 4.80
Nat Young 5.44
Jeremy Flores 6.33
Felipe Toledo 7.93
John Florence 8.00
CJ Hobgood 8.30
Taj Burrow 8.40
Brett Simpson 8.50
Adam Melling 8.50
Raoni Monteiro 8.63
Analysis
It is significant that most of these low heat scores come from surfers ranked the lowest, with only Taj’s loser round score and Nat Young’s round 3 blow out, coming from a top seed.
Freddy Patacchia went within a whisker of a perfect 10 point ride at J-Bay with this effort. Footage: ASP
Highest Scoring waves
Jordy Smith 10
Joel Parkinson 10
Freddy Pattachia 9.93
Jordy Smith 9.80
Matt Wilkinson 9.77
Matt Wilkinson 9.33
Joel Parkinson 9.10
Kai Otton 9.07
Matt Wilkinson 9.03
Mick Fanning 9.00
Analysis
Freddy came so close to his first ever 10, only for one judge to drop a 9.9 and scupper his chances. Jordy’s ten again promised so much but delivered so little, while Parko needed his to defeat a rampaging Wilko in their semi. The question is where would have Tom Curren’s Heritage series score have placed in this list?
Tom Curren still at the top of the mountain when it comes to surfing J-Bay. Photo: Sparkes
Round Single Wave score averages
Round 1 6.26
Round 2 6.27
Round 3 6.34
Round 4 6.20
Round 5 5.75
Quarters 7.43
Semis 7.99
Final 7.65
Analysis
I was interested to see if the no loser’s rounds (Rounds 1 and 4) brought lower scores than the sudden death rounds. And with the exception of Round 5 that was the case. That could be explained by the fact that Round 5 was the first four heats of the final day and judges kept their scores low realising a day of perfect waves was coming.
Aritz Aranburu is another rookie in dire need of some big results in the back end of the year. Photo: ASP/Kirstin
Of course the numbers don’t tell the whole picture. They don’t show the emotion of watching a 300 metre Mick Fanning bottom turn or a gloriously unexpected Wilko foam climb. However in the wrap up we saw the world title race blown even further open. Slater and Bourez’ early loss, combined with Fanning, Parko and Taj’s results means there is a bees dick between the top 5. At the arse end of the ratings, Wilko climbed out of massive hole, which Flores jumped into and started digging. Rookies Hall, Atkinson and Crews desperately need results, while veterans like Pires and Monteiro are staring down retirement. Finally in the middle lie three of the best surfers in the world, Wilson, Smith and Florence, all are set to explode after a mediocre first half of the year. Next stop? Tahiti on August 15, bring it on…..
