FOLLOWING a triumph return to the surf on Tuesday, Culburra Beach’s Owen Wright has been knocked out of the Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota Pro. In his first competition in more than 12 months, due to a head injury, Wright placed third in his round three heat.
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With scores of 7.60 and 5.23, for a combined 12.83, the 27-year-old was no match for France’s Joan Duru (14.77) and Brazil’s Jean Da Silva (13.53).
“It felt amazing to get back out there and compete - it was really emotional,” Wright said.
There is no doubt that this has been the hardest year of my life, a real roller coaster ride.
- Owen Wright
“There is no doubt that this has been the hardest year of my life, a real roller coaster ride. Now I’m through the bad and on the other side of it I feel better, stronger and really excited to have this rash-shirt on and competing again.”
With Wright bowing out, he joins brother Mikey, Culburra Beach compatriot Louis Gillick and Gerringong’s Dean Bowen as South Coast casualties from this competition.
Flying the flag for the South Coast is women's reigning champion Sally Fitzgibbon, from Gerroa, who is battling Dimity Stoyle, Claire Bevilacqua and Ashlee Spence in round three.
