Jordy Smith scored the first-ever Perfect 20 heat at J-Bay with a combination of power surfing and flawless tube riding.
With two Perfect 10-point rides, the South African made history at his favorite surf break and secured a spot in Round 4 of the 2017 Corona Open J-Bay.
"It feels absolutely phenomenal. Just be to here at J-Bay where the waves are firing and to have that opportunity is incredible. You go out there and give it everything you've got," noted Smith.
It was the 10th time an athlete scored a Perfect 20 in 40 years of competitive surfing. It was also the first time Jordy Smith surfed a Perfect 20 heat in his career.
"This heat, I was just fortunate to get the bombs. I couldn't believe it, and I was really fortunate to get that. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would get a Perfect 20, and to get it here at J-Bay makes it extra special."
Gabriel Medina was able to skip Round 5 by winning his Round 4 clash against Owen Wright and Joan Duru. The Brazilian found the right waves and sealed the deal with competence and patience.
"I've been surfing a lot recently to try out my boards. I tried to be patient and was trying to pick the good ones, which is hard. Every wave is really good, so it's hard. It's the best feeling when you finish your last turn, and you know it was a good wave," said Medina.
Frederico Morais was one of the standouts of the day after sending two world champions - John John Florence and Mick Fanning - to the repechage round. The Portuguese surfer got the second-highest heat total of the day and secured his spot in the quarterfinals for the second time in the season.
"It was probably the best heat of my life against Mick and John. It can't get any better than that, with John getting a 10, me with two nines, and Mick was ripping, too."
In the last two heats, I didn't feel like I was surfing my best, so I knew I had to give everything and be perfect in this round, and that's what I did. Finally, I feel like I've been doing my real surfing."
The organization decided to call off the third heat of Round 4 after detecting a shark breach about 100 yards out the back of the lineup.
2017 Corona Open J-Bay | Round 3 Results
Joan Duru (FRA) 15.50 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.40
Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.83 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.57
Owen Wright (AUS) 16.83 def. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 9.67
Frederico Morais (PRT) 13.07 def. Connor O'Leary (AUS) 12.16
Mick Fanning (AUS) 14.24 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 12.67
John John Florence (HAW) 18.27 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.94
Jordy Smith (ZAF) 20.00 def. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 16.17
Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Kelly Slater (USA) INJ
Julian Wilson (AUS) 18.27 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.30
Conner Coffin (USA) 18.67 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.90
Michel Bourez (PYF) 16.73 def. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.07
Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 16.54 def. Jack Freestone (AUS) 13.47
2017 Corona Open J-Bay | Round 4 Results
Gabriel Medina (BRA) 18.74, Joan Duru (FRA) 16.07, Owen Wright (AUS) 13.10
Frederico Morais (PRT) 19.07, John John Florence (HAW) 17.17, Mick Fanning (AUS) 14.90
2017 Corona Open J-Bay | Round 4 Match-Ups
Jordy Smith (ZAF), Filipe Toledo (BRA), Julian Wilson (AUS)
Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Conner Coffin (USA), Michel Bourez (PYF)