Owen Wright forced to wait for Bells Beach swansong
Roger Vaughan |
Owen Wright’s much-anticipated Bells Beach swansong is on hold for at least a day, with competition called off because of surfing conditions.
The Rip Curl Pro’s event period started on Tuesday morning and there were hopes of heats being run at the neighbouring Winkipop break.
But organisers will reconvene on Wednesday morning to assess the surf.
Tyler Wright reached a pinnacle of her stellar surfing career a year ago when she finally took out the Bells Beach event.
Over the next few days, her older brother Owen will make it even more memorable.
It will be his last professional event, with Wright entered as a wildcard for its 60th edition.
So as Tyler aims to go back-to-back at Bells Beach, she will also watch her brother compete for the last time.
The Wrights have come to Bells Beach annually since they were young children, firstly as spectators and now as headline competitors.
Owen has a string of fifth-place finishes at the venue, while Tyler finally took it out last year after twice finishing runner-up.
A big contingent of family and friends will be on hand to watch Owen’s world tour career swansong, with his ongoing head health issues prompting him to retire.
“It’s very fitting for ‘O’ to finish his career here – having the whole family, and having everyone come down, it’s a really special place. We both feel that,” Tyler said.
“I love it here. It’s a really exciting week ahead and I’m excited for Owen’s future.”
She is a two-time world champion, so Wright knows what the pinnacle of her sport feels like.
Wright readily admits winning at Bells Beach is in the same league.
“I’ve won world titles, but there’s nothing like winning at home – last year really solidified that for me,” she said.
“There’s only a few big moments you want out of your career and I had one last year.”
But Wright had an uncharacteristic first-round elimination at the previous round in Portugal and she dropped to fourth on the tour rankings.
Compatriot Molly Picklum is the new series leader, with the 20-year-old at the forefront of the new wave of competitors.
Her excellent form over the opening three rounds means Picklum will survive the dreaded mid-season cut later this month.
“Having the No.1 next to your name, it brings a lot more noise. But it’s an opportunity that I’m really grateful for,” Picklum said.
“To know you’ve made the cut, and be home, it’s a pleasure – you get to enjoy those things and embrace the busy-ness.”
Fellow Australian Jack Robinson leads the men’s rankings, with Brazil’s reigning world champion Felipe Toledo defending his Bells Beach title.
Reigning women’s world champion Stephanie Gilmore badly needs a big result at Bells – the Australian great is on the wrong side of the mid-season cut, which will come after the next round at Margaret River in WA.
AAP