Remember these beauties? Matt Wilkinson has as good a shot as anyone at the 2017 World Title. Photo: Rip Curl
Before the 2017 WSL Men’s CT season kicked off, I predicted that Jordy Smith would win the world title. Now through five of the 11 events of the year, I feel like I have no freaking clue who is going to take home the hardware. It’s been a weird season so far, and we’re coming off a contest in Fiji where we saw some serious giant slaying. Let’s take a look at who is in the mix for the title heading into J-Bay.
Matt Wilkinson is back atop the leaderboard, hoping to avoid another late-season swoon. Wilko has been a different surfer on the competitive front over the last two years, and plenty of credit has to go to coach Micro Hall. Does Wilko have what it takes to win it all, though? I have my doubts, but we doubt most guys can pull it off until they finally do. The rest of the schedule does not play to his strengths all that well, which could be a real problem.
John John Florence sits a mere 250 points behind Wilko, and the 2016 champ has to be the favorite. However, he’s looked staggeringly human in the last two events after a hot start to the season. I don’t think anyone would question that he’s the best surfer on the planet, but that certainly does not guarantee an annual CT crown.
Jordy has been strong and consistent in 2017, and he’s won at J-Bay before. Is this the year it finally all comes together? Big results at J-Bay and Lowers will be essential for the South African. Will he stumble at other the events? He has a history of 25ths that are hard to explain.
Adriano de Souza sits in third, tied with Jordy. He has a world title, but it seems like some people have forgotten that. He is the unsung champion. He snuck up on everyone the year he won it, and to be honest I had already penciled in Mick Fanning mentally. Could he possibly do the same in 2017? I don’t think he will, but one can’t rule it out since we’ve seen it before.
Owen Wright is also tied for third place, and his comeback story has been nothing short of incredible. Owen’s win at Snapper this year rivals Mick’s win at J-Bay last season for the most emotionally-charged-non-world-title-deciding victory in CT history. Could Wright really win a world title not long after suffering a traumatic brain injury? Seems like a pretty tall order, but nobody can deny that this guy charges Teahupo’o like few others.
So that’s the Top 5 as of now, and they’re separated by a mere 600 points. There are plenty of other threats looming as well. Parko is lurking right outside the Top 5, as is the uber-talented Julian Wilson. Gabriel Medina has been losing more than anyone probably expected. Mick has struggled a bit now that he’s back on tour full time, but another win at J-Bay would see him surge up the ranks.
So basically, it’s chaos. I’ll stick with Jordy as my pick, but I honestly feel as though I have no real feel for who has the best shot. And that’s a good thing. It makes life more interesting.
