HOSSEGOR/SEIGNOSSE, Southwest Coast/France (Sunday, September 28, 2014) - Tyler Wright has claimed victory at the Roxy Pro France, besting Courtney Conlogue in a hard-fought Final as a packed crowd looked on at the primary site of Les Gardians.

Event No. 8 of 10 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, the Roxy Pro France enjoyed high-quality surf throughout the competition, suitably peaking today and providing the background for a major shakeup in the race for the ASP Women’s World Title.

Wright wasted little time in the Final, racking up a bevy of excellent scores for powerful and progressive surfing on the afternoon righthanders. Incorporating power turns, aerials and high-speed surfing, the young Australian collected the highest heat total of the event, an 18.53 out of a possible 20.

“The conditions were so fun out there and I just got into a great rhythm,” Wright said. “I think my first four waves were all over 9 points so I was really having fun. I’ve had a lot of success here in France over the years and I’m rapt to put another win on the board for this year.”

Today’s win vaults Wright from 4th to 2nd on the ASP Women's World Championship Tour rankings and well within striking distance of a maiden world title heading into the final two events of the year.

Conlogue was equally impressive on the final day of competition, besting Bianca Buitendag and Carissa Moore en route to the Final. In only her second event back from an injury sustained earlier in the season, Conlogue reminded the world that she is a threat to the throne.

“Disappointed to be on the wrong end of that Final, but very happy with my result in France,” Conlogue said. “Trestles was disappointing so to come to France and get through a few heats and for my surfing to feel better is great for my confidence.”

Johanne Defay, 2014 ASP World Tour rookie, put on a sensational showing in front of her hometown crowd, blasting herself to the Semifinals where her run was halted by an in-form Tyler Wright.

“Very happy with my performance in France but I would have liked to have made the Final,” Defay said. “I have so much support here from my family and friends and the crowd. It makes me feel very special and I hope I can continue to perform in Portugal.”

Carissa Moore, reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion, overcame a tough opponent in Stephanie Gilmore in this morning’s Quarterfinals, but was unable to better Courtney Conlogue in their Semifinal bout.

“Semifinals is a good finish, but I was hoping to gain more ground on Sally (Fitzgibbons) after she went down in the Quarterfinals,” Moore said. “Courtney (Conlogue) has been surfing so well all event though and I’m happy to see her back and doing well after her injury earlier in the year. It’s a very tight race at the top right now and it should make for an exciting finish to the season.”

Sally Fitzgibbons, current ASP World No. 1, was ousted from competition this morning by eventual champion Wright in their Quarterfinal match. Fitzgibbons retains the World No. 1 spot heading into Portugal.

Roxy Pro France Final Results:

• 1 - Tyler Wright (AUS) 19.20
• 2 - Courtney Conlogue (USA) 12.43

Roxy Pro France Semifinals Results (1st advances to Finals, 2nd finishes Equal 3rd):

• SF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 17.00 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 13.50
• SF 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 13.77 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 13.10

Roxy Pro France Quarterfinals Results (1st advances to Semifinals, 2nd finishes Equal 5th):

• QF 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.53 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 8.50
• QF 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 12.53 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 12.24
• QF 3: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.00 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 14.20
• QF 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 10.60 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 5.03

Current ASP Women’s WCT Top 5 (after Roxy Pro France):

• 1. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 57,900 pts
• 2. Tyler Wright (AUS) 56,200 pts
• 3. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 55,950 pts
• 4. Carissa Moore (HAW) 54,700 pts
• 5. Malia Manuel (HAW) 38,850 pts