Courtney Conlogue out of Roxy Pro at Snapper Rocks with foot injury
ONE of the main threats to an Australian winning the women’s world surfing crown is out of the Roxy Pro with Courtney Conlogue fracturing her foot in a major blow to her title assault.
- Surfing legend Mick Fanning announces retirement
- What happened to surf star Matt Banting?
- Gilmore backs Aussie to excel at Surf Ranch
ONE of the main threats to an Australian winning the women’s world surfing crown for the third successive year has suffered an early season injury with Courtney Conlogue fracturing her foot in a training session in a major blow to her title assault.
The American surfer is out of the opening event of the year, this month’s Roxy Pro on the Gold Coast, with the fracture of her fifth metatarsal and could also be absent for a defence of her Rip Curl Pro crown at Bells Beach later in the month.
SEASON GUIDE: Who to back on the world surf tour in 2018.
MOTIVATION: What has Steph Gilmore fired up?
Conlogue has won at Bells the past two years and would join only a handful of three-time women’s winners if she repeated the feat this season.
Conlogue, who held the No. 1 world ranking for a number of events last year, revealed on Sunday she was unable to surf the opener of the WSL women’s world tour.
‘I’m looking forward to being back — I’m not sure when — but I’m doing the best to heal as quick as I can,” Conlogue said.
GREAT VIDEO: Aussie legends lucky escape at Nazare
MICK FANNING: I don’t want to come in as a fat, washed-up slob
After leading the world title race in 2018, Conlogue was overtaken by the Australian armada of Tyler Wright, Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons to finish fourth overall.
She was being backed to be a major threat this season in her hunt for a maiden world crown.
“It is never easy to pull out of an event, especially when you’re so excited to get the new season going,” Conlogue said on Twitter.
SPLASH AND DASH: Diving into uncharted waters
BIG WIN: Jess Fox on road to redemption
“However, my excitement for my return in a jersey continues to grow.”
The event window for the event starts from march 11 with Stephanie Gilmore winning the Roxy Pro last year and Tyler Wright the crown in 2016.
Matildas loss rugby’s gain as teens help Aussies end long Sevens drought
Grit, a fighting spirit and a pair of young guns - including one that was touted as a future Matilda - have helped Australia end a seven-year-long drought in rugby sevens.
NRLW gun Keeley Davis keeping close tabs on future teammates – and rivals
She is one of the pioneers of NRLW but now this rugby league talent is playing a hand in the development of her future teammates - and potential rivals.