Add CategoryWORLD champion Stephanie Gilmore and local Bronte Macaulay returned to the water for big wins at the Margaret River Pro on Monday after the event was put on hold due to a shark attack at Gracetown, roughly 15km away.
Extra drones for aerial surveillance and surf skis have been bought into the competition area to help ensure the safety of surfers.
A man surfing at Gracetown, an area notorious for shark attacks, was reportedly bitten on the leg but was able to make his own way back to shore before being flown to a Perth hospital for treatment.
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Tyler Wright was the first surfer up when competition resumed, with the two-time world champion winning a close round heat against New Zealander Paige Hareb.
Gilmore and Macaulay then posters round three wins to book spots in the women’s quarter-finals while defending champion Sally Fitzgibbons was knocked out of the event at the same stage.
“After discussing with local authorities, the Water Safety Team and surfers, the WSL Commissioner’s Office has decided to resume competition for the Margaret River Pro at Main Break at 10:40am, following a one-hour hold prompted by reports of a shark incident at Gracetown — approximately 15 kms away from the event site,’’ organisers said in a statement.
“Surfer and staff safety are top priorities for the WSL and when competition resumes, further enhanced safety measures, including ski and drone presence, will be added to the event’s mitigation protocols. We look forward to a great completion of the event.’’
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Before the event went on hold, Australian wildcard Mikaela Greene gave American gun Lakey Peterson a major fright in a low-scoring round two heat at the Margaret River Pro on Monday.
Peterson only wrangled control of the crucial heat back in the final 10 minutes with Greene then catching a ride which could have seen her overtake the world No.2.
But the young Australian fell just short of the score required to haul in Peterson, losing the heat 10 to 9.87.
It was a close call for Peterson who sits behind rankings leader Stephanie Gilmore in the No. 2 spot.