AUSSIES, US TO BATTLE IT OUT AT OLYMPICS
TWO years out from the Tokyo Olympics, it seems the battle for surfing’s historic first gold medal will be a two-horse race between Australian and US women.
The two surf powers are riding a wave of unprecedented success, with women from both countries filling 13 of the 16 World Tour spots so far determined.
While the qualification process for the Olympics is still being sorted, the show of strength on the world tour is an indicator of which countries will expect to dominate.
Australia’s top trio – twotime world champion Tyler Wright, six-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons – have all committed to the campaign.
“I am a big fan of the Olympics,” Wright said.
“I remember coming home last year and I caught the back end of Rio and just sat in front of the TV all day watching these athletes doing crazy things. I’d love to go for sure.”
There are any number of young Aussies who could beat the big three to the punch, including fellow world tour surfers Nikki van Dijk, Bronte Macaulay and Keely Andrew.
Also in the mix are world junior champion Macy Callaghan and former world junior titleholder Isabella Nichols.
The US boast four-time world champ Carissa Moore and No.4 Courtney Conlogue.