Wright rides out pain to win second world surf title

THE strapping on her right knee is an obvious indication of how tough Tyler Wright has had to be on her way to backto-back world surfing crowns.

The Australian became just the ninth woman to win multiple world titles yesterday with a dominant quarter-final victory at the season-ending Maui Pro in Hawaii.

Showing little sign of being hampered by the torn MCL suffered in the tour event in Portugal in October, Wright defeated Hawaiian wildcard Brisa Hennessy to claim her second championship.

This year’s success is in stark contrast to her dominant title win in 2016 where Wright won five tour events and had the title sewn up before the final stop in Hawaii’s Honolua Bay.

Wright so far has just one event win in 2017 – the Rio Pro in Brazil – and came into the event as one of five surfers in contention for the championship. Series leader Sally Fitzgibbons was an early casualty, bombing out in the second round in a shock loss to Hennessy on Thursday.

Another upset – Courtney Conlogue’s fourth round defeat yesterday to Australia’s Nikki Van Dijk – presented Wright with the chance to wrap up the championship.

The 23-year-old made no mistake, posting a two-wave total of 16.10 out of 20 midway through the heat to leave Hennessy (9.40) in a combo situation which the youngster never looked likely to escape.

The sound of the siren brought relief and a hug from coach Glenn Hall before celebrations and champagne onshore with her family, friends and championship rival Gil- more, who she’ll meet today’s semi-finals.

That support team played a crucial role in ensuring Wright recovered from her injury.

“It was just incredible the way they showed up and what they did for me with the pure intent to give me this opportunity,” Wright said.

Her victory continues Australia’s dominance in women’s surfing, with 16 of the past 20 champions. in