THE world title hopes of Culburra Beach's Tyler Wright have taken a hit after she was forced to withdraw from this week's Surf Ranch Pro.
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Two-time world champion Wright, who currently sits fourth in the women's rankings, will be replaced by the number one ranked North America junior surfer Caitlin Simmers at the event.
Wright joins fellow big-name women's surfers Lakey Peterson, Bronte Macaulay and Macy Callaghan on the sidelines for the June 18-20 event - which is the sixth stop on the 2021 World Surf League Championship Tour.
With the former St Johns student ruled out, the South Coast flag will be flown by her two brothers Owen and Mikey, as well as Gerroa's Sally Fitzgibbons, at the Californian event.
The latter comes into the event on the back of wins at the Rottnest Search and World Surf Games.
This will also mark the Kiama High alumna and Owen Wright's final competition before the Tokyo Olympic Games.
"Events at Surf Ranch are very unique and high pressure, completely different from what the surfers deal with when in the ocean," said WSL SVP of tours and head of competition Jessi Miley-Dyer.
"This year we'll have a one-on-one final for each division, which is very exciting and different from past events at the ranch.
"Whoever rides the best left and best right, wins."
The qualifying round will feature 18 women and 36 men, including 11-time world champion Kelly Slater.
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