Tyler Wright makes impressive start in bid for a third Bells Beach crown

An Australian surfing great powered through her heat at Bells Beach on Friday to qualify for the round-of-16.

Tyler Wright’s pursuit of a third Bells Beach crown started in style on Friday with a heat win over reigning world junior champion Luana Silva and Erin Brooks.

The performance Australia’s Wright was among the highlights on the opening day of the fifth round of this year’s World Surf League Championship Tour,

Relying in on her “trademark frontside power game”, Wright posted an impressive 8.17 in claiming her heat win and progressing to the round-of-16.

“This is the freest I’ve surfed in a long time,” Wright said.

“Just mentality, physicality ... it feels really good.”

Wright is intent on making up for a disappionting round four performance in El Salvador, where she finished ninth,

“I was actually really disappointed with El Salvador. I felt like my free surfing was really good and then in the heat, I wasn’t super impressed,” she said,

“I really like my boards, they feel great, and I feel fit and strong. I’m happy to be healthy and surfing here when there are waves.”

However, fellow Australian Carly Shanahan didn’t fare as well in her heat, and must conquer an elimination round when surfing resumes on Saturday after being outdone by heat winner Lakey Peterson and defending Bells champion Caity Simmers, who both progressed to the round-of-16.

Last year’s Bells Beach winner Caity Simmers did enough in her heat on Friday to advance to the round of 16 at this year’s event. Picture: Aaron Hughes/World Surf League

“My husband grew up right over the hill here, so I’ve been coming here a lot, for like 10 years now since we’ve been together, outside of the event just surfing and visiting him,” American Peterson.

“It feels like a second home. I love Bells, and I hope it continues to love me back this whole week.

“I feel like I have a good relationship with the waves. A nice right-hand point break is something I love, and I am looking forward to a good week.”

Other to reach the round of 16 in the women’s competition included Americans Sawyer Lindblad and Bella Kenworthy, and Australians Isabella Nichols and Sally Fitzgibbons.

However, world No.4 Caroline Marks surprisingly struggled in her heat against Kenworthy and Fitzgibbons, and now must navigate an elimination round for the first time since last year’s El Salvador Pro.

Only one heat of the men’s competition was possible on Friday before surfing was called off for the day with American Crosby Colapinto beating Rio Waida and Imaikalani deVault.

Waida will join Colapinto in the round of 32, while deVault gets another chance in the elimination round.