Lennox Head surfer Tyler Wright has claimed the jewel in the crown of international surfing, being named women’s world champion of the 2016 season.
In a hard-fought Semifinal duel with three-time world champion Carissa Moore, Courtney Conlogue’s valiant campaign to send the title race to Maui came to its conclusion, when she was unable to match the powerful Hawaiian’s backhand attack in wally lefts.
As the score for Conlogue’s final wave came over the beach speakers as insufficient to send her into the Final, Wright, on the beach preparing to surf in the Final, was mobbed by a host of well-wishers and tour friends, confirming her status as the new World Champion.
‘I’ve had a lot of fun, there’ve been a lot of moments…’ began Wright, still trying to process the significance of her achievement.
‘There were a lot of reasons that I set out to win the world title this year, a lot I didn’t mention in public. Last year was such a hectic year, even this year started really hectic for me and my family, a lot has gone on with my family, with Owen. I lost an uncle… this was the last event he watched, and I promised him I’d win the Title for him, and I did.’
While Moore took out an emphatic victory in a one-sided final to win the Roxy Pro France – and her first win of the season – the loudest cheers on the chilly afternoon understandably went to Wright. In achieving the sport’s ultimate goal, Wright also broke the Gilmore/Moore duopoly, which has seen the pair win every world title since 2007.
– WSL
