Big
Scores and Big Surf for Day 2 of
O’Neill Cold Water Classic
Jay Phillips (Gold Coast, AUS), in his first-ever
competition at the O’Neill Cold Water Classic presented
by Jeep, posted impressive wins in both his Round 1 and
Round 2 heats today, dominating the punchy righthanders
on his forehand and netting the event high single-wave score
of an 8.83 out of a possible 10.
“I’m so happy to be here as
it’s my first time ever surfing Steamer Lane,”
Phillips said. “I’ve brought the family and
we’re really just enjoying the beauty up here. I’m
extremely comfortable out there having surfed pointbreaks
my entire life. I think today, the conditions are washing
through a little bit, but there are still some great waves
to be had.”
Once touted as one of Australia’s
greatest exports, Phillips has taken a brief sabbatical
from professional competition, but the recent exploits of
his fellow countrymen have reignited the competitive flame.
“Back
home, Mick (Fanning) and Dean (Morrison) and Joel (Parkinson)
have been telling me that they want to see a Jay Phillips
comeback,” Phillips said. “Seeing those guys
doing so well at that level has really motivated me to give
it a go again. At the moment, I’m just competing in
select events, but I think the Cold Water is an event I
could do really well at, and I would love to claw my way
onto the Dream Tour.”
