HORROR DAY AT THE BEACH FOR AUSSIE HOPES
BYRON Bay’s 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.
World No.3 Wilkinson was forced into suddendeath after losing to Gold Coaster Bede Durbidge in the first round.
He was then upset by US 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 in rankings after being in contention all season 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,” he 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 saw off Brazilians Caio Ibelli and Jadson Andre in the first round.
Wilson, who surged into title 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 Wilson in qualifying for the third round, beating Hawaiian Ezekiel Lau and French Polynesian Michel Bourez.
Joel Parkinson and Connor O’Leary were also eliminated in the third round by fellow Australians Ethan Ewing and Josh Kerr.