Jeffrey's Bay answered the hype and delivered a historic Finals Day chapter to the Corona Cero Open J-Bay to crown Connor O'Leary and Gabriela Bryan.
For the men's Final, history was made as O'Leary added his name to a shortlist of goofy-footed winners at J-Bay that include surfing icon Mark Occhilupo and three-time World Champ Gabriel Medina. O'Leary's fight back against Yago Dora earned him a first-ever CT win as Dora's surge through to a runner-up finish clinched his spot for the Final 5. Last-minute dramatics sent Bryan atop the podium, taking down World No. 1 Molly Picklum in the process, to secure herself as World No. 2 heading to Tahiti and a third CT win in 2025. A brilliant showing from Bryan also clinched her spot into the Lexus WSL Finals Fiji as she looks to take the Yellow Leaders Jersey after taking down 2023 World Champ Caroline Marks and two-time World Champ Tyler Wright along the way.
Iconic moments from an epic Finals Day included a 10-point ride from O'Leary in the Semifinals against three-time event winner Filipe Toledo after taking down 2022 winner Ethan Ewing. The men's rankings are closer than ever heading into the last event of the season with familiar names looking to strike. Picklum's fourth Final appearance of 2025 has her firmly out front but a decorated field is closing in as Caitlin Simmers officially clinched her spot.
With a major update to the Lexus WSL Finals Fiji, the Yellow Jersey is more important than ever and it all comes down to the beautiful monster of Teahupo'o to decide who adds their name to the Lexus WSL Finals Fiji at the Lexus Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA starting August 7 through 16.