WILKINSON A CHANCE BUT FANNING, PARKO OUT
BYRON’S Matt Wilkinson’s world title dreams remain alive but the door has closed on Gold Coasters Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson for 2017.
The “Coolangatta kids” were both knocked out in Round 3 of the Billabong Pro, Tahiti, ending their already slim world title hopes.
With both already carrying two early-round knockouts – which would be their discarded results at the end of the season – another early exit would count towards their season-ending tally and both will finish with 13th placings at Teahupo’o.
French rookie Joan Duru knocked out Parkinson, hitting back with a score of 9.17 after the Gold Coaster had taken an early lead in the heat.
Fanning was taken out by fellow Aussie and former event-winner Adrian Buchan despite notching the highest single-wave score of the contest so far with a 9.83.
Buchan found two waves in the eight-point range to beat Fanning on a two-wave total.
Wilkinson continues his march towards a maiden world title though, beating rookie Ethan Ewing, who notched his first win on the championship tour by ending Brazilian Filipe Toledo’s title hopes in Round 2.
Former Byron resident Owen Wright also progressed, beating Brazil’s Ian Gouveia in Round 3.
Defending world champion John John Florence came from behind to beat Nat Young after dominating the final stages of their heat in 1.8m surf.
While the conditions at Teahupo’o are not nearly as heavy as in previous years during the contest window, it’s still a demanding wave that takes courage to ride over a notoriously shallow reef.
“It’s a pretty scary wave but the reward is just so good,” Florence said.
“The view from inside the barrel is amazing and the way it sucks you in and spits you out is pretty cool.”
Another Gold Coaster, Bede Durbidge, also fell in Round 3, losing to Gabriel Medina when the former world champion was able to find the score needed to overhaul his rival in the final stages of the heat.
Locals Jack Freestone and Stuart Kennedy lost in Round 2 to finish with a 25th placing.