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Tyler Wright Claims Maiden World Title in France

Dedicates the win to her late uncle.

Following a runner-up finish to Carissa Moore in the final of the Roxy Pro France, Tyler Wright has claimed her maiden world title. Needing to finish ahead of Courtney Conologue in the event to clinch the win, the twenty-two-year-old Australian was mobbed by a procession of close friends and fans after Conologue failed to progress through her semi-final against Carissa.

‘Feels pretty good,’ an elated and clearly emotional Tyler told Pete Mel amidst the spontaneous celebration that had erupted on the beach around her. ‘A lot has gone into this … There’s a lot of reasons why I set out to win the world title this year, and a lot of reasons I didn’t mention to the public. Last year was such a hectic year, even this year. I lost an uncle, and this was his last event that he ever saw me compete in … From that moment I promised him that I’d win a world title.’

The achievement comes after an incredible season for Tyler, in which she claimed four victories from six finals, including a win at the season opener on the Gold Coast, where she announced her intentions to win the title from atop the winner’s podium. Since then, she’s put on dominant performances at Margaret River, Rio, and Trestles, and in spite of a formidable challenge from American rival Courtney Conologue, has worn the yellow leader’s jersey for much of the season. It’s also been an emotional year for the powerful natural-footer from the NSW South Coast, given her close relationship with her brother and last year’s world number five Owen Wright, who is recovering from a brain injury after a serious wipeout at Pipe in December.

Ladies Of The Sea – Tyler Wright from surfstitch on Vimeo.

In the Roxy Pro France, Tyler survived a hard-fought semi against breakthrough Hawaiian performer Tatiana Weston-Webb, which allowed her to wrap the title up there on the sand at Hossegor after Conologue faltered. Wearing her brother’s number three on her back in the final, she couldn’t find the rides to match Carissa’s sharp backhand attack on the running left-handers, but with her lifelong dream already realised, it didn’t seem to worry her. On her last wave, Tyler rode switch in a tribute to her brother and threw both hands in the air to celebrate the remarkable achievement, one that’s seemingly been on its way ever since she made history as a fourteen-year-old wildcard winning the Beachley Classic in Sydney.

Tracks would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Tyler on winning her first world title and wish her the best of luck in backing it up next year.

Girl did good!

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