AN overwhelmed Jackson Baker declared "this is the start of something new" after launching his self-belief and Challenger Series ranking sky-high with a second placing at the Ericeira Pro in Portugal on the weekend.
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The powerhouse Merewether regular-footer rose 58 spots to seventh on the CS standings with easily his career-best performance, which ended with defeat to Hawaiian and former Championship Tour surfer Ezekiel Lau late Saturday (AEDT).
The 8000 points earned put him easily inside the top 12 on the CS with events in France and Hawaii to come. He sits seventh, but is effectively sixth given American Griffin Colapinto is above him and already qualified.
The top 12 at the end of the series earn a place on the 2022 CT, where Merewether is already represented by world No.5 Morgan Cibilic and Ryan Callinan.
Baker's stunning run to the decider at Portugal came after a first-round exit last month at the US Open and revived memories of clubmate Callinan's performance at Ericeira three years ago.
Coach Richard "Dog" Marsh guided Callinan to a victory at Ericeira, which guaranteed the goofy-footer's return to the CT in 2019.
Marsh was a factor again at the event this year, helping Baker to a break-out result which has the 24-year-old on the cusp of a first CT season.
"I'm super stoked and super proud of myself," Baker said. "Just to be able to come over here and do the job. Working with Richard "Dog" Marsh for the first time, it seems to be working.
"My surfing is there and I've just got to back myself, so I guess this is the start of something new."
Baker had consistently produced under pressure on the righthand point-break of Ribeira D'Ilhas, coming up with late scores to stay alive in the early rounds before dominating in the finals.
His mix of gouging carves, well-timed snaps and flowing, long rides were a feature of the event but two falls in the decider proved costly.
Lau won 16.57 to 13.27 after two eight-point rides in the opening 15 minutes put Baker on the back foot.
Baker had a 7.27 in between Lau's excellent rides but it would have been a higher score if not for a fall.
He needed a 9.3 and waited with priority for the right wave before taking off on one with eight minutes left. He was set for a huge score after four quality turns but he then fell on a bump while setting up for a bottom turn and was given a 6.0. He was unable to find another suitable wave.
"Probably not my best performances out there, with the unfortunate falls, I probably left a fair few points on the board there, so it probably would have been a different final, staying on my feet," he said. "But you can look at all the ifs and buts, and the shoulda, woulda, couldas, but overall the whole event, if someone said to me before the event I would have got second, I'd be over the moon, so it will slowly start sinking in, and just take the positives.
"Just a huge shoutout to everyone at home and everyone who has been supporting me. Let's just get some more Aussies on tour and hopefully we can keep it moving," he said before downing a beer.
Baker powered into the final with victory over Hawaiian Imaikalani deVault, winning 16.93 to 12.24 in the semi-final. Baker led with scores of 7 and 4.67 before earning an 8.10 and 8.83 to increase his advantage.
Earlier, Baker beat mate and countryman Dylan Moffat 15.5 to 13.5 in the quarter-finals. He opened with an 8.33 and backed it up with a 7.17.
Merewether clubmate Philippa Anderson and Redhead-based South African Sarah Baum, who are also chasing a debut season on the CT, were first-round casualties in the women's event at Ericeira.
Craig Kerry
Craig Kerry is a sports reporter for the Newcastle Herald.
Craig Kerry is a sports reporter for the Newcastle Herald.
