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Posted: 2022-06-10 03:28:22

Margaret River surfer Jack Robinson may have just one hour to reach the airport but if there is a hint of anxiety in his voice, he sure is hiding it well.

"It's all good, I've got a bit of time," he assured this reporter before outlining his trip ahead.

"Let's see, I fly from here to Bali, Bali to Dohar, Dohar to Miami then Miami to El Salvador, it's about 30 hours."

El Salvador is the next stop on the World Surf League's championship tour.

Robinson — touted as a future champion since emerging onto the world stage with a distinctive bowl haircut aged 13 — moves into the event with consecutive wins under very different circumstances to his name.

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His hometown win at the Margaret River Pro last month played out in front of thousands of cheering friends, family and supporters.

His next win in Indonesia took place in a remote beachside camp, watched on by few more than competitors, organisers and camp staff.

"It was a bit different," Robinson said of the contrast in atmosphere of each competition.

"Coming off that win in Margaret River, I was just waiting for the crowd to go off, but it was just us competitors surrounded by jungle."

The wins bumped Robinson to second on the tour rankings heading into El Salvador, behind Brazil's Filepe Toledo.

Hawaii's Carrisa Moore leads the women's tour ahead of Brisa Hennesey of Costa Rica.

Injury woe for John John Florence

Hawaii's John John Florence has withdrawn from the upcoming event in El Salvador after injuring his knee in Indonesia.

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Florence posted his injury status on Instagram, adding his presence at the following event in Brazil was also now unlikely.

Florence had previously withdrawn from competition due to knee injuries and would vacate the third position on the tour rankings.

A prompt return could see Florence return with two events on the current tour ahead of the title deciding finale in the United States.

Robinson said while Florence's absence from the tour would "open up a bit of space" in the race to the title event in September, he'd much rather the two world champion be in the title showdown than not.

"I'm hoping he can make it back for the last couple of events, because they are the spots where he has done really well before, like Tahiti and Jeffreys Bay, South Africa," Robinson said.

Surfing journalist Shannon Hughes said Florence had loomed over each season since winning his last world title in 2017, only to be hamstrung by successive injuries.

However his absence will present opportunities for Robinson and fellow Australian, Ethan Ewing.

"John does sit in a different place in the minds of most surfers and even Gabriel Medina has said he wants John to be there to push him," Ms Hughes said.

"I don’t think there’s anyone at the moment that even could take John’s place, but I think that out of anyone on tour, Jack and Ethan both have the potential to be that person in the coming years.

"Their competitive success is beginning to match the potential we’ve known for years that they have."

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