Surfing Australia

Brother and Sister Duo of Owen and Tyler Wright to Create History at Quiksilver and Roxy Pros

Friday, 26 February 2010

BROTHER and sister duo of Owen and Tyler Wright (Lennox Head, NSW, Aus) will create surfing history at the opening ASP World Tour event of the year after Tyler won the Roxy Pro Trials at Snapper Rocks today.
The talented siblings will become the first brother and sister to compete in the same ASP World Tour event, with Owen and Tyler set to take on the planet’s best surfers in the season-opening Quiksilver and Roxy Pros.

Wright dominated the day’s trials, finishing the final with a combined two-wave score of 18.50 to defeat Sunshine Coast surfer Dimity Stoyle (12.35), New Zealand-born Gold Coaster Sarah Mason (10.50) and Merewether’s Phillipa Anderson (7.65)
Wright, who made history as the youngest ever winner of an ASP World Tour Event at just 14 years of age in 2008, said she was unaware of the feat until she hit the sand after the trials final.

“Someone told me straight after the final - I’m so happy with it. It’s going to be sick,” she said.

“I can’t wait to see Owen (Wright) surf.  He’s been going so well, so it’s going to be extra inspiration to me. It should be pretty fun.”

Wright will now face off with 3 x ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (Coolangatta, NSW, Aus) and Brazilian Bruna Schmitz in round one of the opening ASP Women’s World Tour event.

Joining Wright on the winner’s dais today was 19-year-old Coolangatta surfer Blake Ainsworth, who took out the Quiksilver Pro trials for the last remaining wildcard into the men’s draw.
In a thrilling finish to the final, Ainsworth came from behind with a sensational 7.9-point ride to steal victory with just 30 seconds left on the clock.
“I’m on cloud nine right now,” said Ainsworth.

“My first wave was awesome and only got it on my last wave. I can’t believe it.”

The victory was made even sweeter for Ainsworth as moments earlier, it appeared his chances were crushed after fellow finalist Clint Kimmins accidentally dropped in on him while he was tucked away in the Snapper barrel.
Ainsworth finished with a combined two-wave score of 15.65 to defeat North Narrabeen youngster Davey Cathels (14.75), Huscenot (14.15) and Gold Coast surfer Clint Kimmins (4.75).
The Coolangatta young gun said he was giving himself every chance to progress into the main event leading into the trials.

“I got a third in the event before so I was just amping myself up before I paddled out and gave it everything I had,” he said.

The 19-year-old Ainsworth, who is currently sitting eighth on the ASP Australasian Pro Junior Series, will now meet world No.2 Joel Parkinson in Round one.
The main draw of the contest is likely to begin tomorrow, with nine-time world champion Kelly Slater (Florida, USA) set to kick off his campaign for an unprecedented 10th crown in 2010.
Another round one highlight will be the long-awaited comeback of three-time world champion Andy Irons (Hawaii), who returns to the World Tour full-time after taking a year off for personal reasons.
“It is kind of intimidating walking in and seeing so many of the boys again, but it is fun,’’ said Irons.
“I am just excited to get back into a singlet, surfing good waves and have fun with it.’’
Irons’ younger brother and former World Tour surfer Bruce assumed top billing in the trials today but was unsuccessful, bowing out in the semi-finals.
Irons managed a combined two-wave score of just 3.6 as he was swamped by Huscenot (13.10) and Cathels (11.75).
The opening ASP Men’s World Tour event will be staged in conjunction with the upgraded US $100,000 Roxy Pro on the southern end of the Gold Coast, the opening event of the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour.
The Quiksilver Pro is presented by LAND ROVER and proudly supported by Corona, Jetstar, Olympus, GCCC, CSGC, Moreton hire, Telstra, Coastalwatch & RBSLSC.

For further information log onto www.quiksilverpro.com.au or www.aspworldtour.com