Coledale’s Lucas Wrice saw his World Junior Championship charge cut short in difficult conditions at Bombo Beach on Sunday afternoon.
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The 17-year-old was locked in a tense round three battle with American Griffin Colapinto before the Californian native pulled out a big score when it counted.
Colapinto’s carved out a score of 6.07 late in the heat to finish with an 11.17 two wave total.
Wrice produced a ride of 5.17 midway through the heat, but was unable to find a second big score to send the American packing. He finished with a two wave score of 8.57.
Fellow Australian’s Ethan Ewing, Harley Ross-Webster and Reef Heazlewood progressed to round four while Sandon Whittacker and Quinn Brice were also bundled out.
Competition looked to be headed for a second straight lay day early on Sunday before World Surf League officials opted to go ahead with the boys round three in the afternoon.
"The waves are pretty small [on Sunday] but there is enough out there for the two-man heats," WSL Deputy commissioner Travis Logie said.
"Unfortunately there is nothing that promising on the forecast so we need to make the most of what we can get.
“Although it is small, the bank is good and these guys are the best 18 and under surfers in the world, so they will no doubt be able to put on a show."
Round three of the girls World Junior Championships will continue on Monday after they failed feature over the weekend.