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AAP
AAP
Sport
Shayne Hope

Australians Wright, Picklum frustrated in Hawaii

Australian surfers Tyler Wright and Molly Picklum face a wait for their quarter-finals at the season-opening event in Hawaii, with competition put back on hold due to poor conditions.

Organisers at the World Surf League (WSL) championship tour's 2023 curtain-raiser the Billabong Pro have called a lay day for the fourth time in six days.

But they are hopeful surfers will be able to return to the water on Saturday morning local time (Sunday AEDT).

"We have small waves and onshore wind on offer today," WSL chief of sport Jessi Miley-Dyer said.

"We're going to call a lay day today and check back in tomorrow morning."

Wright and Picklum are the remaining Australian hopes in the women's competition after eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore suffered a shock early exit.

The 35-year-old posted a two-wave total of just 2.8 in her opening heat and was thrust into a three-person elimination round, where she was knocked out by American teenagers Caitlin Simmers and Alyssa Spencer.

Two-time world champion Wright faces a showdown with Brazilian star Tatiana Weston-Webb after defeating fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons in the round of 16.

Picklum beat countrywoman Isabella Nichols and will take on five-time world champion Carissa Moore.

All seven Australian men, led by world No.3 Jack Robinson, are through to the round of 32.

Robinson is set to do battle with Brazil's Michael Rodrigues, while two all-Australian affairs feature Callum Robson against Jack Baker and Ethan Ewing taking on Liam O'Brien.

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