WSL loaded with Aussies

AUSTRALIA, the US and Brazil will fill an extraordinary 26 of 32 spots on the next men’s World Surf League tour..

Australia had the most surfers requalify via their ranking with seven in the world’s top 22 at the end of the 2017 season.

Julian Wilson was the best placed surfer in third place followed by Matt Wilkinson and Owen Wright in fifth and sixth, Joel Parkinson in ninth, Mick Fanning in 12th, Conor O’Leary in 13th and Adrian Buchan in 16th.

Both Brazil and the US had five surfers each in the top 22 with Brazil adding another five via the qualification system and the US three.

It is expected many of the men and women on the world tour in 2018 will use a new event in Sydney as a major launching pad for the season.

Details of the Sydney Surf Pro will be revealed at Manly today as a replacement event for the Australian Open of surfing.

It is understood the new event, which carries qualification points, will be surfed from late February.