Wright gets off on the wrong foot

LEADING Australian surfer r Owen Wright is the biggest t name so far to be forced into Round 2 at the Rip Curl Pro.

Competition finally started yesterday afternoon at Bells Beach after a delay of a dayand-a-half.

Wright finished last in the three-man opening heat, putting him into the second round.

The top two surfers from each heat in Round 1 progress to Round 3, but the lowest finisher is relegated to Round 2.

All heats after Round 1 are elimination battles.

Top Australian Julian Wilson finished second in his heat to progress, joining reigning world champion Gabriel Medina, defending champion Italo Ferreira, 2017 winner Jordy Smith and 11-time world champion Kelly Slater in the third round.

Brazilian’s Medina and Toledo were particularly impressive, the later scoring the highest heat total of the day with fast, aggressive surfing in tricky conditions.

South Africa’s Smith, whose power surfing has always been a good match for Bells, laid down some solid turns and fluid surfing in lumpy conditions that challenged the field.

“That was difficult out there for sure,” Smith said.

“It was pretty bumpy and hard to pick waves.

“I’m just stoked to be back here at Bells because it’s definitely one of my favorite stops on tour and the relaxed vibe in this area reminds me of J-Bay.

“The water and air is cool and it is all right-hand points, so I feel really comfortable here. I’m feeling more alive this year than I have in a while.

“I’ve got a lot of froth and want it more than ever and I’m just loving surfing.”

Current rankings leader Ferreira looked out of rhythm to begin his event title defence and will be looking to sharpen up in Round 3.

After a delay yesterday morning because of f th the high tide, event organisers moved the event to the nearby Winkipop break.

They ran nine of the 12 Round 1 men’s heats, with the women’s event remaining on hold.

Jack Freestone and Surf Coast locals Xavier Huxtable and Harrison Mann were other Australians who will have to go through Round 2.

After winning Monday’s trials, WA surfer Jacob Willcox continued his strong week when he edged out Wilson in the fifth heat.

He scored 13.74 to Wilson’s 13.73, while French surfer Joan Duru scored 11.00.

“The waves have been a little bit small for the last few days, so I feel like surfing through the trials definitely gave me an advantage,” Willcox said. “Julian (Wilson) is one of my favorite surfers and I’ve always looked up to him so it was really cool to share a heat win him.”

Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) vs. Paige Hareb (NZL)

Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Coco Ho (HAW) vs. Keely Andrew (AUS)

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) vs. Kobie Enright (AUS)

Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Courtney Conlogue (USA) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRI)

Tatiana WestonWebb (BRA) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW) vs. Macy Callaghan (AUS)

Johanne Defay (FRA) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Sage Erickson (USA)

AAP