Australian Ethan Ewing has risen up to third in the World Surf League rankings after beating compatriot Jack Robinson in the J-Bay final.
Ethan Ewing has won his maiden World Surf League event after coming up trumps in an all-Australian J-Bay final against Jack Robinson, but Tyler Wright fell just short in the women's draw.
Ewing defeated world No.2 Robinson 16.80 to 16.30 in a high-quality final on Friday to break through for his first Championship Tour event win.
The 23-year-old's late mother, Helen Ewing, won at Bells Beach in 1983, and Ewing was thrilled to break through at J-Bay.
"This event is one of the dream events to win," Ewing said.
"I've been so inspired by the young guys this year like Jack (Robinson) and Griffin (Colapinto) getting wins, and it's weird when you haven't got a win yet.
"It's kind of putting pressure on yourself. But it feels so good now.
"It's been such a good year. Last year was kind of a warm-up. This year I'm feeling comfortable."
Ewing broke the final wide open with a 9.13 ride, and his victory saw him rise from fifth to third in the world rankings.
With just one event remaining on the 10-stop tour, Ewing is well-placed to finish in the top five and secure a spot in the season-ending finals at Lower Trestles in California.
Robinson is already secured a spot, and he fell just short of snaring his third tour win this year.
Wright still faces a fight to secure her own spot in the WSL finals despite her strong showing in South Africa.
The two-time world champion secured a spot in the J-Bay decider with victory over fellow Australian and seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore in the semis.
But Tatiana Weston-Webb proved too good in the final, with the Brazilian goofy footer winning 17.50 to 15.67.
Wright was in desperate need of victory at J-Bay after her past three events were ruined by COVID-19 and bad luck.
She was forced out midway through G-Land after testing positive to COVID-19, and she missed the following event in El Salvador due to a slow recovery from the virus.
Wright's luck turned from bad to worse when she had to give up her spot at the Rio Pro after visa issues meant she couldn't enter Brazil in time.
The triple blow saw her slip from fourth to 10th in the rankings, but she has risen back up to seventh and could sneak into the top five with a big result at the Tahiti Pro.
