Wildcard upsets Wilkinson’s world championship bid

AUSTRALIANS Matt Wilkinson and Owen Wright’s world surfing title hopes have taken a hit with their second-round elimination at Lower Trestles. But compatriot Julian Wilson continued his good form to reach the third round of the championship event in California yesterday.

World No. 3 Wilkinson was forced into sudden-death after losing to countryman Bede Durbidge in the first round.

He was then upset by American wildcard Evan Geiselman after being unable to make the best of small waves, scoring 12.96 from his two best efforts to 15.5.

Wilkinson, 28, now faces a fall down the rankings after being in contention for his maiden world title, with three events remaining. “I had my plan and it was to get some good rights and they were pretty tough to surf and going flat and steep real quick. I didn’t really get too much going,” Wilkinson said.

“I felt like I surfed as good as I could.

“This one would have been nice to make a few heats. You want to win every event. To lose that one so early in the contest is definitely tough.” Wright, ranked fourth in the world, lost in the second round to Japan’s Hiroto Ohhara, who produced one of the day’s highest scored rides of 8.9 points. World No. 5 Wilson’s 13.27 was enough to see off Brazilians Caio Ibelli and Jadson Andre in the first round.

Wilson, who surged into championship contention with his win in Tahiti last month, has never won at Trestles, reaching the final in 2013. “That was a tough heat,” he said.

“I didn’t feel like I was on the best waves. I had to find my opportunities.’’ Three-time world champion Mick Fanning joined compatriot Wilson in directly qualifying for the third round.

Fanning beat Hawaiian Ezekiel Lau and French Polynesian Michel Bourez in the first round.

Joel Parkinson and Connor O’Leary were also eliminated in the third round by fellow Australians Ethan Ewing and Josh Kerr respectively.