Kelly Slater wins back World Surf League place after being handed wildcard

• Eleven-time world champion had missed mid-season cut
• France's Johanne Defay wins this year's women's wildcard

American great Kelly Slater will continue on the World Surf League tour after the 11-time world champion was awarded a wildcard. Slater's year looked over when he missed the mid-season cut at the Margaret River Pro, which remained on hold on Thursday for a fourth consecutive day.

The 51-year-old was eliminated in the third round by Australian Liam O'Brien, which meant he was unable to climb the rankings into the top 22 who continue beyond the tour's fifth stop. However the WSL announced on Thursday that Slater and France's Johanne Defay, who finished as world No 3 last year, would receive the 2023-24 wildcards.