Two-time champion Tyler Wright wins the Pipe Pro, primed for third World Surf League title
Two-time World Surf League champion Tyler Wright is in prime position for a third title after her upset Pipe Pro win in Hawaii.
Other Sports
Don't miss out on the headlines from Other Sports. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Tyler Wright has shown she is primed for a third World Surf League title after using her vast experience to upset defending champion Caitlin Simmers to win the Pipe Pro.
After conquering pumping conditions at the famous Hawaiian reef break, Wright and Simmers were left battling for scraps in the final as the ocean went quiet.
Wright’s experience on tour proved telling though, the two-time world champ banking an early 6.0 (out of a possible 10) score with a short tube and grab-rail combo that proved to be the best score of a frustratingly scrappy heat.
In a break so well known for its heavy conditions that world champ Simmers was wearing a helmet, no sets of size rolled through in the 30-minute heat, with Wright eventually winning with a two-wave total of 7.70 (out of a possible 20).
Simmers could only manage 3.94 after her front foot came out from under her on her opening attempt, on a set wave that ended up being her best opportunity of the heat.
Winless last season, Wright will now wear the yellow jersey into the second event of the year, in Abu Dhabi, an event that the openly bisexual surfer’s wife and family last year expressed their concerns about her competing in.
That was not on her mind though after a Pipeline victory that took Wright to equal seventh with former world champion Frieda Zamba on the all-time win list – a list she hopes to continue to climb in the back end of her career.
And it seems finding joy in the small moments helped Wright to victory.
“I really tried to bring in a lot more joy,” she said in the official presentation.
“After least year, I was injured a lot and that didn’t help with the love and the joy of it – and that’s what I felt here.
“It was so cool to have a final with Simmers out there, she’s the queen of Pipeline to me.”
Originally published as Two-time champion Tyler Wright wins the Pipe Pro, primed for third World Surf League title
AIC First XVIII Players of the Day from round 1
AIC First XVIII Players of the Day after the schoolboy footy competition roared to life with round 1 action.
Paul Pink Shield Taverner’s Team of the Season after Wests GF win
The U16 female Team of the Season is revealed here after Western Suburbs won the Paul Pink Shield Taverner’s grand final over local rivals Valley.