AUSTRALIAN Tyler Wright says she is “OK” with missing an early opportunity to claim a maiden world crown of surfing after her main rival, American Courtney Conlogue, defended her title at the Cascais Pro in Portugal.

Wright needed to win the event and Conlogue fail to make the semi-finals for the Australian to secure the world crown with two events in hand.

Instead the pair battled for the world surf league title in a thrilling final won by Conlogue 13 to 12.26.

“It’s OK. I still had a lot of fun out there and I’m still happy with the way I am surfing,” Wright told The Daily Telegraph this morning, of missing the opportunity for an early win in the world tour race. “I’ll just head straight to France now and do what I’ve been doing all year — trying to win every heat I go in.”

Wright has held on to her world No. 1 ranking and remains in the box seat to become Australia’s 20th world champion this year.

“I am going to take what I’ve learned out of this one, with dealing with beach breaks and everything like that, into France and start it all over again,” Wright said. “I have never been more psyched on surfing or doing heats and the amount that I am learning.

“I know I am in a title race, but for me, I know what I can do and what I want to do.”

Conlogue has moved to within 5250 points of Wright but is the reigning champion of the Roxy Pro France, the second last event on the world surf league tour which starts October 4.

“I am so thrilled to be back on the podium,” Conlogue said. “The World Title race has definitely tightened up.

“I still have a lot of work ahead of me. I’m one step closer, which is always a positive.

“I love France and I am looking forward to hopefully getting a few barrels and doing some big turns.”