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Aussie Wright brothers win at Tahiti Pro

Owen and Mikey Wright have staged a second-round family affair at the World Surf League event in Tahiti.

Australian surfing brothers Owen and Mikey Wright have survived their elimination heats at the Tahiti Pro to progress to the third round.

It was a family affair as the brothers of two-time women's world champion Tyler Wright got the job done before the swell waned at Teahupo'o.

Mikey Wright led off with a tough 10.83 to 8.33 win over Brazilian replacement surfer Miguel Pupo.

"It was a bit of a scrappy start ... but I ended up turning it around," Wright said.

"I just sat and waited for one, and the one that I got gave me a few turns. It's fun out there."

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The 21-year-old - who is not a full-fledged main tour competitor - sits ninth overall after capitalising on wild cards and replacement spots to claim two third-place finishes in his five events in 2018.

His more experienced brother Owen, who trails him on the WSL leaderboard, had it a little easier in his heat.

The 28-year-old accounting for Joan Duru with a dominant 14.27 to 6.00 display.

"It's a shame the forecast isn't really delivering for this year's event. (But) even at this size, you can still find fun ones out at Teahupo'o," he said.

The older Wright was full of praise for his sibling.

"It's great being here with my family and having my brother Mikey stay with us for the event," he said.

"He's been on a tear this season."

But a possible Tuesday trifecta of Australian second-round wins hit a hurdle on the final leg as Matt Wilkinson's horror world-tour season continued.

The 29-year-old, who hasn't placed higher than ninth this season, was beaten by Japanese young gun Kanoa Igarashi 12.17 to 10.77.

Wilkinson, a title contender over the past two seasons, was left stranded behind Igarashi on points after losing priority.

The goofy-footed Australian is fighting to qualify for next season.

"It's been pretty frustrating for me," he said of his 2018 campaign.

"Two years ago in the first four events, I got three big results and ended up in the top five.

"Maybe I can just do it in reverse this year and end up back at the top end, or hopefully at least in qualification."

The Wright brothers join countrymen Wade Carmichael, Adrian Buchan and Connor O'Leary in the third round.

The next call for competition resumption is at 3am (AEST) on Wednesday.


3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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