Solid two metre waves at Bluffs Reef proved ideal for South African surfing sensation Jordy Smith.(Durban) to win the O’Neill Cold Water Classic in Tasmania earlier Sunday.

World No.9 Smith defeated World No.5 Damien Hobgood (USA) with a total heat score of 15.56 to13.17 (combined two wave total out of a possible 20) in the final of the 6-Star World Qualifying Series (WQS) event earning Smith US $20 000 (approx. R200 000) and 2 500 WQS points.

Both surfers suffered slow starts in the 35 minute final. Hobgood, 29, held an early lead with a 7.50 but could only lock in a 5.67 as his second scoring ride and with 10 minutes remaining Smith posted a heat-high 8.73 to back up his earlier 6.83 for victory.

Smith was a clear standout from his opening heat in the week long event and overcame a classy international field of 144 surfers to claim victory in the inaugural event held in the wild north-west of Tasmania. The 21 year-old’s free surfing approach was the key to his victory with massive snaps and big aerial manoeuvres all part of the young guns repertoire.

“I’ve had the greatest time here in Tasmania, it’s been just amazing with such powerful surf and fun people in this remote location” said Smith after his win. “I always enjoy surfing waves that offer power and here in Tasmania every wave you surf is straight out of the deep southern waters and the power just makes for great surfing, I love it.”

Hobgood was just as impressed with the wilds of Tasmania, saying “It’s been a special week for me here in Tasmania, so many great waves and just amazing people who have welcomed us here. It’s been an adventure for all of us and I’ve felt like a young kid all week!”

In the semifinals Smith used a lucky last wave to end the dream run of future world-beater Jadson Andre of Brazil. Andre, 21, who earlier in the event had eliminated the top seed CJ Hobgood, led for most of the 35-minute match-up until Smith locked in a last-minute 8.27 score to secure a finals berth.

The all-American second semi saw Hobgood advance over Californian Pat Gudauskas in another close battle. Twenty-three year Gudauskas required a 9,17 to win and came up just short with 8.90 on his final ride.

The O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series utilised four breaks over six days of competition in the North-West of Tasmania. The O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series now moves to Scotland for the 6-Star Prime World Qualifying Series (WQS) event from April 29th – May 6th, 2009.

The next event on the ASP WQS is the Drug Aware Pro at Margaret River in Western Australia running March 29 – April 5 and featuring a 6-Star Prime rated event for men and a 5-Star for women.

Men's WQS Ratings After Evt#5 O'Neill Coldwater Classic, Tasmania-Australia
1 Santos,Bruno BRA 2813
2 Silva,Jean da BRA 2550
3 Smith,Jordy ZAF 2500
4 Goodrum,Darrell USA 2488
5 Paulino,Pablo BRA 2475

South Africans
40 Logie,Travis ZAF 1313
49 Palmboom,Rudy ZAF 1125
86 Wright,Warwick ZAF 875
99 Fahrenfort,Damien ZAF 813
105 Redman,Daniel ZAF 794
167 Jackson,Brandon ZAF 600
173 Bryson,Royden ZAF 563
187 Basnett,Ricky ZAF 538
262 Strachan,Klee ZAF 375

www.aspafrica.com