Tyler Wright's Pipeline run has ended in a frustrating semi-final loss to local wildcard Moana Jones Wong, who progressed to win a historic title in Hawaii.
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Wright took more than 30 minutes to catch her first wave, a heat-best, 8.83-point back-door barrel at the dangerous North Shore break.
But the Culburra talent couldn't find anything else of substance to overtake Jones Wong, slapping the water in disgust when she lost priority with three minutes to go by paddling into a monster wave she eventually passed up.
Wright, whose brother Owen suffered a serious head injury on the wave in 2016, admitted it took a bulk of her heat for the fear to subside.
"I was out too far, then in too far but by the end of the heat I was in-sync, knowing what I was in for," Wright said.
"I got that back door, missed a right, then that left at the end of the heat, that's a broken body or a 10-point ride.
"I have to surf in five days (at the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach); I chose to play it a little bit safe."
Local hope Jones Wong (14 points) was far busier and at home on the intimidating break, pairing 7.67 and 6.33-point waves to oust Wright (9.76).
The wildcard entrant -- touted as the Queen of Pipeline -- then delivered again in the final against reigning world champion Carissa Moore.
Jones Wong notched the six best rides of the decider to dominate 14.34 points to 3.73.
Wright won at Pipeline last year after the Maui Pro event was moved at the mid-way point after a shark attack.
It is the first time the women have surfed at the Hawaiian North Shore break from the outset in Championship Tour competition.
"I can't believe it, I'm losing it, this is the best moment of my life," Jones Wong said from the beach, a day after Kelly Slater's emotional men's victory.
"I never thought I was ever going to accomplish this .. Carissa is my favourite surfer, my hero."
Wright said the historic move for the women to the break traditionally reserved for men's competition was a non-negotiable.
"There's so many young girls on the sand, I'm sure every woman is losing their minds (watching)," she said.
"We do deserve to be out there, have competition in this line up.
"Moana is leading that charge; give us a few years to get in sync, get our pins (best locations to catch a wave) down.
AAP
