INTERNATIONAL NEWS - Newcastle is brimming with the world's top surfers on the eve of the 2017 Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota and the Anditi Women's Pros.

 

The two events run in conjunction with Newcastle Surfest and will be the first World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 6000 events of the season meaning the field the events have attracted is second to none.

One names that has been absent from surfing events for the last year is Owen Wright. Wright, who finished World No. 5 in 2015 had a year away from competitive surfing after a ferocious wipe-out at the Pipe Masters Championship Tour event.

 

The South coast super-star will make his competitive return at the Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota Pro and can't wait to pull on the competition jersey. The Newcastle event has been a favourite of Wright's and will be the perfect spot to ease back into events ahead of the 2017 Championship Tour (CT).

WSL Commissioner Kieren Perrow is pleased with the progress Wright has made over the last year and can't wait to have his power and energy back at WSL events.

 

"The WSL is pleased to confirm that Owen Wright will return to competition at this year's QS6000 Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota Pro in Newcastle. Since his injury in Hawaii in December of 2015, the WSL has worked closely with Wright, his physicians and the sport's medical committee to ensure that if he were to return to competition, his health and well being would take priority. Owen has passed his own physician's medical review and has received the WSL medical committee's approval to compete in Newcastle. Following the Newcastle event, all parties will reconvene to discuss whether Owen wishes to accept the WSL wildcard to commence the 2017 CT season."

One of Owen's good friends Matt Wilkinson will be returning to Newcastle for the Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota Pro as the defending event champion. After winning the 2016 event, Wilkinson went on and won two CT events in what would be his most successful year on tour to date.