“I just love catching waves. I just kept building and building and I wouldn’t want it any other way. This is just fantastic to come to Rio, I love it.” Image: ASP/Kirstin
Reclaiming the number one spot on tour, 19-year old Australian Tyler Wright won the Colgate Plax Rio Pro in Brazil. Wright was on fire almost the entire event in the small, yet clean beach break at Barra Da Tijuca; coming out on top against the likes of Coco Ho and Malia Manuel before a high-scoring final with Fitzgibbons.
“This whole event has been stepping stones for me. I started off a bit shaky and this is my first event without my family here with me,” Wright said. “Brooke Farris was here looking after me, and thanks to everyone for all of their support. After I lost that Round 3 heat I just wanted to catch waves, so I stayed busy from then on. It’s just the way it worked out. I just love catching waves. I just kept building and building and I wouldn’t want it any other way. This is just fantastic to come to Rio, I love it.”
Coming in third behind New Zealand’s Fitzgibbons was the relentless Carissa Moore, after her win at Bells last month. However, Wright still managed to best the 2011 World Champ, claiming the top position in the race for the 2013 Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT).
“I have never been thinking that I’m running away with the World Title at all; I’m just happy to be in the race,” Said Carissa Moore, “I know it’s going to be tough if I want to win the World Title again and other girls want it just as bad.”
With two wins under her belt this year, taking first at Snapper, things are looking good for Tyler Wright. Under two months remain before the beginning of the Roxy Pro Biarritz in France. With only two events left, things are sure to get interesting.
