World News – AU – Shark attack halts Australian stars at Roxy Pro

Australian surf stars Tyler Wright and Sally Fitzgibbons postponed their semifinals at Roxy Pro in Maui on Wednesday after a local surfer was attacked by a shark.

The attack is believed to have taken place in the early morning, less than three hours before the finals were due to begin in Honolua Bay.

Erik Low, executive director of the World Surf League, immediately canceled surfing day after the recreational surfer, a man, injured his leg and needed CPR on land before being rushed to hospital.

« We had a shark incident with a recreational surfer this morning. Because of this, we are suspending our event indefinitely, « he said.

Wright earned her way to the semi-finals after scoring a perfect 10 in the first quarter-final against other Aussies and seven-time world champion Steph Gilmore at the Maui Pro presented by ROXY in Honolua Bay.

After a two-year break due to illness, the 26-year-old Wright only returned to surfing last year and is already showing the skills with which she won both of her world titles.

Wright also went to the surf wearing a specially designed jersey that featured a Pride flag and an Australian flag sewn into the rash vest.

Before the event, Wright, who came out bisexual last year, posted a heartfelt post on Instagram explaining her reasons for making the flag statement.

« Today feels like another step in my realization of my true and authentic self, » she wrote.

« As a proud bisexual woman in the LGBTQ community and as an Australian, I am delighted to be able to represent both of them on my competition jersey this year. «  »

Soak up all the energy of the bay on the opening day of the @wsl season !! Excited for the final day tomorrow 🤙 #MauiPro . . . Proud to be supported by my partners @AlmondBreezeAUS @UnderArmour @Breitling @boostaus @LandRoverAus @All @ Sharpeyesurfbo1 @devikaworld @SurfFCS pic. Twitter. com / NqMvcfvgXe

politics

The Whitsunday MP and One Nation Party are calling for China Bloom’s actions on Keswick Island

business

Find out how Mackay’s best dance instructor broke out of the studio to lockdown beauty

letters to the editor

OPINION: If the rental agreement has been violated by local residents as claimed, authorities should step in to correct any errors before it is too late.

business

Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday’s investment funding is dry despite the $ 5 billion available cash pool

crime

The 76-year-old Mackay man will be spending time behind bars, but a judge has questioned the 40-year delay in filing charges

crime

She has four kids with a fifth on the way but still hasn’t been able to cut the drug entirely.

Council news

The housing move was called into question when concerns about Mackay’s growth emerged. « Do we want to lose the lifestyle we have? »

basketball

The icon of Mackay and Australian basketball will return to Seaforth this month. . .

Community

Plus: Find out which five campaigns the local community has been through. . .

Community

New project helps build a cohesive group that stands up for those affected. . .

© Mackay Printing and Publishing Company Pty Ltd 2020. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited under Australian law and international treaty.

Honolua Bay, Maui, Surfing, World Surf League, Shark Attack