Billabong Pro Jeffrey’s Bay: 17th place
Kelly and Dane Reynolds discussing the finer points of one of the best rights in the world. Photo: English
Jeffrey’s Bay was formed by the hands of Poseidon strictly for Kelly Slater. He’s won the event four times and seemed like a no-brainer to take it again this year coming in hot like he did. But it wasn’t to be.
Kelly got netted by wildcard Sean Holmes in Round 3, who also took out Andy Irons the following round. “Going all the way to J-Bay and getting 17th makes me wish I had stayed home,” Kelly said after the disappointing early exit. “You lose confidence and waste time on planes. That’s the way it goes—you have good events and bad events.” He appeared to get the wave he needed with time winding down, but Holmes waited out the back with priority and sure enough a bigger one came through, giving Holmes back the lead and the victory.
Before bowing in South Africa Kelly did get a few of these... Photo: English
Sal Masekela was in South Africa for the World Cup and decided to jet over to J-Bay for the contest afterward. Here is he giving Kelly pre-heat motivational knuckles. Photo: English
The early exit by Kelly amidst the World Cup chaos leaves Jordy all alone to take over the ratings lead, and eventually the event itself (check out that full story here). Kelly now sits in third in the ratings behind Taj Burrow and Jordy.
Kelly's patented frontside slash. Photo: English
On to the Billabong Pro Tahiti at Teahupoo on the next page.
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