Tyler Wright leaving no stone unturned in bid for maiden World Surf League title

TYLER Wright is leaving no stone unturned in her bid for the world surfing championship, heading to California a month ahead of the US Open to familiarise herself with the conditions as she continues her push to win a maiden title.

Tyler Wright puts in a solid display to win her third-round heat at the US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach. Photo: WSL

TYLER Wright is leaving no stone unturned in her bid for the world surfing championship, heading to California a month ahead of the US Open to familiarise herself with the conditions as she continues her push to win a maiden title.

Lennox Head product Wright moved directly through to the final eight of the contest at Huntington Beach yesterday, avoiding an elimination clash after beating Malia Manuel and tour rookie Kelly Andrew in her Round 3 heat.

Wright linked with coach Glenn Hall in the off-season and has been bullish about her world title aspirations this season.

The approach has worked for the 22-year-old, who has prepared like never before for the 10-round World Surf League season.

That approach is paying off at Huntington Beach, where Wright arrived a month ago to prepare specifically for the notoriously technical conditions and often small swells.

“I came here about a month ago to train specifically because I am a heavy-footed surfer,” Wright said.

“This is such a different type of wave than I am used to. We do not get these type of waves at home.’’

It’s a different approach for Wright, who while always fiercely competitive has often in the past relied on her prodigious natural talent to get her through.

Under Hall’s tutelage though, Wright has taken a different approach this year and it’s paying off, with three event wins from the opening five stops on the World Surf League tour.

“I came over to work hard and train,’’ she said.

“This is the first event that I’ve actually felt prepared for – it is so different and amazing.”

Wright joins Tweed Coast surfer Stephanie Gilmore in the final eight after the six-time world champion beat defending titleholder Carissa Moore in her Round 3 heat yesterday to advance.

Gilmore has not made it past the final eight since returning to the WSL tour this year after recovering from a knee injury that cruelled her 2015 chances.

But the win against Hawaii­ans Moore and Coco Ho in 0.5-1m conditions will bolster her confidence ahead of the finals.

Gilmore beat her riv­als convincingly with a two-wave score of 13.6 out of a possible 20 to pitch her rivals into an elimination contest in Round 4 while advancing to the quarter-finals.

“Conditions are pretty difficult out there so it’s just about catching waves and doing the best with what you’ve got,” Gilmore said.

“I haven’t really had much luck with three-man heats this year so it felt really good to get through that heat, ­especially against Carissa (Moore) and Coco (Ho).’’

Current world No.1 Courtney Conlogue also advanced to the final eight to resume her title battle with Wright, as did fellow American Lakey Peterson.

Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons has been pitched into an elimination battle against American Sage Erickson after losing her Round 3 heat to Peterson.