Tyler Wright left Pipeline without the major trophy but adamant the historic event showed women “deserve to be out here”.
The two-time world champion was bundled out of the Billabong Pro by local wildcard Moana Jones Wong, who went on to win the first full women’s event on the famed break in Hawaii over Carissa Moore.
A day after an emotion-packed victory by surfing legend Kelly Slater, the same beach was packed with fans to watch the climax of the women’s event and Wright was adamant they deserved to be back next year.
“There’s so many young girls on the sand, I’m sure every woman is losing their minds (watching),” she said.
“We do deserve to be out there, have competition in this line-up.
“Moana is leading that charge; give us a few years to get in sync. I know me, personally, I hope I’ll be able to make the most of every wave that comes through out there.”
The event was the first time the women have surfed at the Hawaiian North Shore break from the outset in Championship Tour competition.
Wright said playing it safe cost her in her semi-final loss, taking more than 30 minutes to catch her first wave at the dangerous break.
“I was out too far, then in too far, but by the end of the heat I was in sync, knowing what I was in for,” Wright said.
“I have to surf in five days (at the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach); I chose to play it a little bit safe.”
Local hope Jones Wong showed less concern and, after taking out Wright, scored the six best rides of the decider to take down Moore.
“I can‘t believe it, I’m losing it, this is the best moment of my life,” Jones Wong said from the beach, a day after Slater’s emotional men’s victory.
“I never thought I was ever going to accomplish this … Carissa is my favourite surfer, my hero.”
Wright said the historic move for the women to surf the break traditionally reserved for men’s competition was a non-negotiable.
