After a full week of lay days, the Corona Open J-Bay got going again Friday in the best conditions of the event.
In pumping waves at Supers, Stephanie Gilmore had a bit of a shaky start -- almost losing to Bianca Buitendag in the Quarters -- but then shifted into gear to not only make but win the Final.
She bested Lakey Peterson, who dropped to No. 2, and was forced to relinquish the Jeep Leader jersey.
Here are some of the other big moments from an impactful finals day:
Final: Gilmore Is New No. 1, Title Race Intensifies
Semifinal 1: Peterson Eliminates Local Favorite Buitendag
Semifinal 2: Gilmore Advances to Final with This Wave
Quarterfinal 4: Tati Scores 18.54, Highest Two-Wave Total of Event
Quarterfinal 3: Gilmore Bests Macaulay With This Tiebreaker Wave
Quarterfinal 1: Wildcard and Local Favorite Bianca Buitendag Advances to Semis
Round 3, Heat 2: Peterson Tears Apart Solid Surf for 9.00
The women returned to South Africa Friday and Supertubes delivered clean 4-6 foot conditions for the first few rounds of competition.
Despite this being the first time any of them have surfed in a WSL Championship Tour event at Jeffreys Bay, the women were dropping high scores regularly.
Heavy hitters Courtney Conlogue and Sally Fitzgibbons were eliminated in Round 2, failing to find their usual rhythm. Meanwhile local wildcard Bianca Buitendag fought through a back injury to take an early lead and jump to Round 3. Tatiana Weston-Webb also came out firing on all cylinders, using her backhand to hack her way to an 8.50.
And at the end of it all, while the wind did start to pick up, Friday's conditions provided and the competitors made it look like they've been surfing J-Bay for years. Round 3 action will kick off once the contest resumes with Carissa Moore, Bianca Buitendag and Johanne Defay in Heat 1.
The Corona Open J-Bay - Women's is OFF for the day (Sunday) due to deteriorating conditions.
Round 2, Heat 6: Nikki Van Dijk Survives Shaky Heat
Round 2, Heat 5: Carissa More Powers Through First Elimination Round
Round 2, Heat 4: Johanne Defay Edges Out Wildcard Macy Callaghan
Round 2, Heat 3: Lakey Peterson Earns 9.00 for Round 2 Win
Round 2, Heat 2: Coco Ho Shines at J-Bay, Eliminates Sally Fitzgibbons
Round 1, Heat 6: Caroline Marks Victorious in Stacked Heat
Round 1, Heat 5: Conlogue Goes for Broke
Round 1, Heat 5: Weston-Webb Powers Through Round 1
Round 1, Heat 3: Bianca Buitendag Kicks Off J-Bay Campaign
Round 1, Heat 2: Bronte Macaulay Heats Up