Australia’s Tyler Wright won her second straight World Surf League women’s world title Thursday by making it into the semifinals of the Maui Women’s Pro contest at Honolua Bay.
In the 5- to 7-foot, clean waves, four women entered the water with a chance. Courtney Conlogue of Santa Ana, Calif., fell out of the chase by losing in the fourth round. Only six-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore of Australia and three-time world champ Carissa Moore of Hawaii had a shot after that, but they were eliminated when Wright made it into the semifinals of the season-ending world tour event.
“Today was perfect,” Wright said. “I was so excited to be in this event and excited to be in this position. I have just been having the best week and I cannot explain how much this week has meant to me. We’ve just had a sick team and everyone has been amazing. All through the year, there have been little ups and downs, but to be in this moment right now in the position. … I was happy before I won and I am just as happy now.”
Wright came into the event ranked No. 2 and the door opened when No. 1 Sally Fitzgibbons lost in the third round Wednesday.
Even though the world-title chase is done, the contest is not. Wright faces Gilmore in the semifinals today, conditions permitting. In the other semi, Hawaii’s Malia Manuel goes against Australia’s Bronte Macauley.
Sunset to the max
Sunset Beach was humming Thursday in the continuation of the Vans World Cup of Surfing, the second leg of the Vans Triple Crown. Wave faces reached 25 feet.
Eight Hawaii surfers got through the second round: Benji Brand, Logan Bediamol, Makai McNamara, Cody Young, Imaikalani Devault, Evan Valiere, Barron Mamiya and Kiron Jabour.
Six others from Hawaii, however, were eliminated, including Maui’s Dusty Payne and Billy Kemper.
Hawaii’s Sebastian Zietz, Ezekiel Lau, Keanu Asing, Nathan Florence and Joshua Moniz get their starts in the event when it resumes today in the third round, surf permitting.
World No. 2 Gabriel Medina of Brazil and No. 3 Jordy Smith of South Africa will also get going at the Vans World Cup today. For both, it is a warmup for the season-ending Billabong Pipe Masters (Dec. 8-20), where they will be fighting against No. 1 and defending champion John John Florence of Haleiwa and No. 4 Julian Wilson of Australia for the men’s world championship.
Florence and Wilson are not entered in the World Cup, which has no bearing on the world title.
Tyler Wright won her second straight women’s world surfing championship on Thursday during the Maui Women’s Pro at Honolua Bay.
