Julian Wilson has given his surfing world title hopes a boost after clinching a spot in round three of the Quiksilver Pro France.
The Australian world No.3 produced one of the highest scoring waves on Tuesday to win his opening heat in ideal four-to-six foot conditions at Plage des Culs Nus.
Wilson started his day with a long and deep barrel, followed by an alley-oop and finished with a big snap to round out the wave for an 8.50 on his way to a total of 13.67.
"I knew there were opportunities out there and that I'd be able to roll the dice quite a few times," said Wilson, who trails series leader Filipe Toledo and his fellow Brazilian Gabriel Medina in the standings.
"That first wave was probably the best one I rode in the heat and I probably did my best surfing on it as well so it's nice to get rewarded for it."
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Connor O'Leary managed a heat score of 10.17 to edge out Toledo in the first round, and join fellow Australian Wilson in progressing directly to round three.
Toledo recovered later in the day to overcome Frenchman Jorgann Couzinet in the second round to make the last 24.
Joel Parkinson's farewell tour, after he announced in July this year will be his last competitive campaign, continued with a 10.93 total enough to advance to round three, where he was joined by countrymen Mikey Wright and Adrian Buchan.
"It's amazing to be back (in France), it feels like a victory lap and I'm glad the waves are pumping," Parkinson said.
World No.5 Owen Wright has been eliminated after going down to fellow Australian Ryan Callinan 16.10 to 12.17 in the second round.
In the women's Roxy Pro France, Australians Sally Fitzgibbons and Macy Callaghan won their sudden-death second-round heats on Tuesday to join Stephanie Gilmore and Bronte Macaulay in the third round.
Fitzgibbons defeated Pauline Ado while Callaghan dumped countrywoman Nikki Van Dijk out of the event.
Gilmore will seal a record-equalling seventh world championship if she wins the second-to-last stop on the calendar but can also secure the prize if she qualifies for the semi-finals and world No.2 Lakey Paterson fails to make the final four.
