CULBURRA Beach's Owen Wright has started his assault on the Tahiti Pro Teahupo'o - stop seven of 11 on the 2019 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) - in commanding fashion.
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Wright's two-wave score of 11.33 saw him easily win heat 11 of the opening round against countrymen Wade Carmichael (9.36) and Brazil's Jesse Mendes (6.26) - to progress to round three.
"It's great to be back in Tahiti and to have my family with me," Wright said to WSL.
"Conditions weren't ideal, but looks like we have great waves coming and good to get the opening rounds completed so we can finish in the juice.
"Boards feel great, body feels great.
"Looking forward to the rest of the event and hoping for a good result."
The Culburra Beach Boardrider will now face off with Australia's Soli Bailey in the third heat of the round of 32, when surfing resumes.
Owen's brother Mikey isn't competing at Teahupo'o, being forced to withdraw with a back injury.