Culburra's Tyler Wright put her body on the line while protecting her beloved board as she came up just short in the women’s Rip Curl Pro final against Carissa Moore at Bells Beach on Wednesday.
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The reigning world surfing champion from Hawaii repeated the result of last year’s decider at Bells Beach and is a perfect 5-0 in tour finals against Wright.
The Australian held nothing back, crashing into rocks as she rode a wave all the way to the shore in a desperate attempt to get the score required to move ahead of Moore.
‘‘It’s probably lucky that I’ve learned how to roll through life,’’ said the 19-year-old Wright.
‘‘My team thought I was going through the channel but I couldn’t do that.
‘‘I had water in my eyes so that’s all I could see.
‘‘My hand is a bit bruised and my ribs are getting sorer and sorer by the minute.
‘‘But that’s all part of it – that’s what I love.
‘‘I’m never going to back away from a situation like that.’’
Wright was happy to cop a few bruises, just so long as her board did not suffer damage.
‘‘It has the most amazing artwork on the bottom of it – it’s a fantastic board,’’ she said.
‘‘I can heal pretty quick but if you grind it into the rocks it isn’t going to turn out that well.’’
Moore’s victory took her to the ead on the world tour as she chases a third overall title in the past four years.
The Hawaiian eased her way into the Rip Curl Pro, forced to contest all seven rounds after losing at the two non-elimination stages.
‘‘I started off a little shaky, not quite mentally there, but I was able to work through the kinks,’’ said Moore, who won the final in perfect conditions 16.23 points to 15.77.
‘‘I felt like I gained momentum through the event and I’m obviously happy with how it all worked out.
‘‘Tyler and I have had some really good heats together.
‘‘Every heat with her, you’ve got to bring your A-game and be ready to go because she will capitalise on weakness at any time.’’ AAP