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Wright Wins Swatch Women's Pro, Takes Massive Step Toward Title
Anna Dimond
Tyler Wright just did it again. The current World No. 1 won her fourth Championship Tour event of the season, taking out the Swatch Women's Pro at Lowers like she was born at this beach. The huge victory over Stephanie Gilmore brings her one giant step closer to becoming the 2016 World Champion.
"I had one goal this year and that was to win every heat, and every Final," Wright said. "Regardless of what situation the ratings are in, that's my goal and that's what I'm going to do. I'm just doing what I'm doing."
But Trestles, with its perfect canvas and secluded setting, can bring out the best in every surfer and there were impressive standouts throughout the contest. One was Sage Erickson, Wright's Semifinal victim Wednesday morning. Wright surfed away with the win, but Sage made her work hard for it. Tyler won by less than half of a point.
"Trestles is such a groomed wave that it lets you showcase your style," Erickson said. "So I love that the girls get to show that. [But] coming up against Tyler [Wright], you can't leave it that close. All-in-all, I'm excited and ready for Europe."
The women's second Semifinal pitted another tour titan, Stephanie Gilmore, against another contest breakout, Nikki Van Dijk. Like Sage, Van Dijk's talent has never been in question, but she's rarely made it past the heavyweights. Maybe it was Trestles, maybe it was having nothing to lose. But Van Dijk kicked into a higher gear and took some scalps along the way.
In terms of new gears, however, there was no one as fired up as Stephanie Gilmore, who has had her own demons to out-surf this season. After making it to the Semis Monday she said she had gotten the "Quarterfinal monkey" off her back, and seeing the 6x champ find her stride was a welcome sight for her friends and fans.
"I feel like at this event I've found some clarity in my decision-making and what it takes to win," Gilmore said. "I'd just love to win an event. That's the name of the game."
Still, the contest -- and perhaps the whole season -- belongs to Tyler.
Wright was so focused, in fact, that she waited for almost half of the final heat before taking a wave -- and when she did, she made it count. Gilmore was in better form than she has been all year, with a competitive zeal that has been in hibernation. She went for broke in the dying minutes with a 9.13, but it wasn't enough to overtake Tyler's lead.
Wright arrived at Lower Trestles wearing the Jeep Leader's yellow jersey, reserved for the rankings leader. After today, she should feel that much more comfortable heading into the home stretch of the season.
Nikki Van Dijk
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Featuring Ramzi Boukhiam, Alejo Muniz, Kade Matson, Jorgann Couzinet, Luana Silva, Moana Jones Wong, Molly Picklum, Nikki Van Dijk, Keely
Men's Semifinalists and Women's Quarters locked in for Finals Day.
Top names experience highs and lows at the third Challenger Series stop.
Swatch Women's Pro
Our recommendation for Lowers? Don't overthink it.
O sul-africano Jordy Smith, 28 anos, barrou o brasileiro Filipe Toledo, 21, nas semifinais.
Jordy Smith joined the world title race on the men's tour, while Tyler Wright took a huge step toward locking it down among the women.
Jordy Smith and Tyler Wright are victorious at the Hurley Pro and Swatch Women's Pro. The WSL desk team breaks it down.
The World No. 1 -- and eventual Swatch Women's Pro winner -- was subdued but focused in her post-heat comments.