Wilkinson’s title hope wiped out
AUSTRALIAN Matt Wilkinson’s bid for a maiden world surfing title is over after he was knocked out in the second round of the season’s penultimate event in Portugal.
World No.3 Wilkinson was never in the hunt at Peniche against Frenchman Jeremy Flores, who earned nine points early in the heat for a long barrel, following it up with another big ride awarded eight.
Wilkinson struggled to a combined score of 10 – seven points behind his world No.34 opponent.
“That heat was very disappointing,” Wilkinson said.
“But I’ve had a great year and it’s been so much fun being in this position.”
Wilkinson was an early title leader after winning the opening two world events on the Gold Coast and Bells Beach, but fell away later in the tour.
The 28-year-old has not been able to get past the third round in any of his last five World Surf League events.
“There’s still one event remaining so hopefully I can put another massive result on the board and I’d love to do well at the Pipe (Banzai Pipeline, Hawaii),” he said.
“I’ve had the best year of my career by far and I’m excited to keep it going the next few years and hopefully find myself a world title.”
Wilkinson has not finished inside the championship top 10, recording his best result last year when he was 18th.
Championship leader John John Florence of Hawaii kept his hopes of clinching the world title in Portugal on track by beating local hope Miguel Blanco in their second-round heat, while second-ranked Gabriel Medina of Brazil edged Australian Ryan Callinan to progress to the third round.
Meanwhile, women’s world champion Tyler Wright said yesterday that the world title will remain her sport’s biggest prize with the Olympics more of a novelty event, but one she really wants to contest.
Wright, who a week ago in France clinched her first world title with one event to go, said winning another and getting to the 2020 Olympics were on her bucket list.
“I think winning a world title is pretty up there, just because you have to be good in everything, it’s not just a oneevent decision,” Wright said.
“For surfing, it will always be the world title (that’s held is highest esteem).
Used to the individual nature of the sport, Wright likes the idea of being part of an Australian team.
“When I was younger I was like, ‘ Maybe I could change sports and go to snowboarding or something like that’,” Wright said. “But it’s brilliant to hear they’ve brought surfing into the 2020 Olympics.”
Labelling Triple Eight Engineering’s protest after Bathurst “un-Australian’’ is probably taking things a little far but for winner Will Davison to have to feel there was a “cloud’’ over his and Jonathon Webb’s win in the Great Race is disappointing.
There’s little doubt the drama surrounding Jamie Whincup’s penalty and subsequent appeal took some of the attention away from team Tekno’s celebrations, if not the race win itself. Davison is on track to take out