Tyler Wright loses Pipeline semi-final as local Moana Jones Wong claims title

Australian Tyler Wright's Pipeline run has ended in a frustrating semi-final loss to local wildcard Moana Jones Wong, who progressed to win a historic title in Hawaii.

Wright took more than 30 minutes to catch her first wave, scoring a heat-best 8.83-point back-door barrel at the dangerous North Shore break.

But the Australian couldn't find anything else of substance to overtake Jones Wong, slapping the water in disgust when she lost priority with three minutes to go by paddling into a monster wave she eventually passed up.

Wright, whose brother Owen suffered a serious head injury on a wave in 2016, admitted it took a bulk of her heat for the fear to subside.

«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 got that back door, missed a right, then that left at the end of the heat - that's a broken body or a 10-point ride.

»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 (14 points) was far busier and at home on the intimidating break, pairing 7.67 and 6.33-point waves to oust Wright (9.76).

The wildcard entrant — touted as the Queen of Pipeline — then delivered again in the final against reigning world champion Carissa Moore.

Jones Wong notched the six best rides of the decider to dominate 14.34 points to 3.73.

Wright won at Pipeline last year after the Maui Pro event was moved at the midway point after a shark attack.

It is the first time the women have surfed at the Hawaiian North Shore break from the outset in Championship Tour competition.

A group of unrelenting women want to reach a point where female surfing is appreciated for the compelling, ground-breaking sport that it is, and