Tyler Wright Comes One Step Closer To A Second World Title

HONOLUA BAY, Maui, Hawaii (Wednesday, November 29, 2017) – The Maui Women’s Pro got underway today in picture perfect 3-4 foot Honolua Bay – the start of the last event of the 2017 WSL Season, and the event that will decide the 2017 Women’s World Title.

Tyler Wright, who is now campaigning for her second World Title, took a giant leap to the front of the race today when she surfed her way straight through to the quarterfinals, throwing down the highest single wave score of the day – while her closest opponent, Sally Fitzgibbons, bowed out in Round Two against Hawaiian wildcard Brisa Hennessy.

“We know it’s the Final event and the World Title does go down here,” said Tyler. “But I have such a rad crew here with me that every day we’ve done something fun and tried to keep our minds clear and enjoy being in Maui. But, at the end of the day, I know we’re here to do a job and that’s what it comes down to.”

Brisa Hennessy, Tyler’s Rip Curl teammate and the surfer who knocked Sally Fitzgibbons from the race, surfed one of the best heats of the day – and while she was doing it, knew the World Title implications. “I mean, surfing is a selfish sport,” she said. “That’s one of the downfalls. But it was so great to be in the water with Sally, and I really look up to her a lot… so I wish her the best.”

From here, the World Title race will wrap up in the next day of competition – most likely tomorrow(Thursday, HST). The World Title scenarios are as follows:

If Tyler makes the Final heat (win or lose), she wins.

If Tyler finishes 3rd, Courtney is the only other surfer who can win and she must win the event to do so.

If Tyler finished 5th, Courtney needs to make the Final (win or lose) to win the World Title. Stephanie Gilmore and Carissa Moore can also win in this scenario, but to do so they must win the event.

The Final Day of the Maui Women’s Pro is on standby for an early start tomorrow morning. The Final Day will see a World Champion crowned.

#GoTyler