Surfing 2022: Ethan Ewing wins at Jeffreys Bay to secure first World Surf League tour victory

Ethan Ewing has catapulted into the mix for the world title after snaring his first World Surf League tour win at one of the sport’s most prestigious events.

Todd Balym

less than 2 min read

July 15, 2022 - 11:16PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

EMBARGO FOR TWAM 09 APRIL 2022. FEE MAY APPLY. OAHU, UNITED STATES - DECEMBER 9: Ethan Ewing of Australia advances to the semi-finals of the Pipe Invitational, the trials of the 2019 Billabong Pipe Masters after placing first in Heat 3 of the quarterfinals at Pipeline on December 9, 2019 in Oahu, United States. (Photo by Ed Sloane/WSL via Getty Images)

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Queenslander Ethan Ewing secured his maiden World Surf League tour victory at the Corona Open at Jeffreys Bay on Friday with a stunning win over fellow Australian Jack Robinson that catapulted both men into genuine world title contention.

In the first all-Australian final since 2015 when Mick Fanning and Julian Wilson battled it out before Fanning was attacked by a shark, Ewing prevailed in a thrilling final in pumping 2m waves.

The two Australians are now serious world title threats with Ewing rising to third on the ratings and Robinson sitting sweet as the world No.2 with just one tour stop remaining in Tahiti before the top five are invited for the showdown for the crown at Trestles.

Ethan Ewing scored an upset win in the final of Corona Open at Jeffreys Bay. Picture: Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Ewing secured his first tour victory with a 16.80 to 16.30 win with some powerful turns for the biggest moment of his career.

“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.

“It’s weird when you have not got a win yet putting pressure on yourself.

“It’s been such a good year I feel like my first year on tour I got so smoked, last year was kind of a warm up and this year I feel like I’m comfortable and showing my surfing.”

Ethan Ewing rose to third on the World Tour ratings after his win. Picture: Getty Images

Former world champion Tyler Wright kept her slim title dreams alive with a runner-up finish to Brazilian Tatiana Weston-Webb in the women’s event to surge to seventh on the tour ratings.

Wright defeated seven-times world champion Stephanie Gilmore in the semi-finals, but will need a massive result at the last full tour stop at Tahiti if she is to qualify for the top five and season-ending finale.

Gilmore’s third place finish kept her fourth in the overall ratings.

Originally published as Surfing 2022: Ethan Ewing wins at Jeffreys Bay to secure first World Surf League tour victory