Cibilic, who was equal 28^th on the CT before the event, needed to progress to have any chance of moving into the top 22 and the second half of the tour.

Rookie of the year and world No.5 in 2021, Cibilic will now try to regain his place for 2023 through the challenger series.

Countryman Callum Robson was already assured of his CT spot and started their heat with scores of 4.5 and 7 from three and four-turn rides in big and bumpy conditions.

Cibilic didn't catch a wave until 13 minutes into the 35-minute heat and his patience was rewarded with a 7.2 from three quality turns and a ride out of the whitewater. He needed a 4.3 to go ahead but wiped out twice before Robson got a 5.0 with less than five minutes left to improve his position.

Cibilic then looked to have the score he needed after two massive carves, but converging close-outs crashed his finish, leaving him with a 3.5. He needed a 4.8 late but went down 12 to 10.7.

"It was definitely a tough one to swallow," Cibilic said.

"It was just a little bit wobbly out there and I had a couple of blunders, even one standing up, and just that one cutback at the end cost me.

"If I had just rode out of the whitewater I'm sure I probably would have got the score, but that's how the cookie crumbles sometimes, and I'm just keen to get to Snapper and hopefully get a result there and come back at the end of the year.

"I just haven't had the results this year. I feel like I've just slowly been easing my way into the year and I guess that's just not good enough this year. I'm kind of finding my feet at the moment and it's just unfortunate that we've got the mid-year cut ... but it is what it is."

Callinan, in 33^rd spot before the event after missing the opening contest with injury, needed to beat world No.1 Filipe Toledo to keep his hopes alive but he bowed out 11.4 to 9.83.

After early falls, Callinan put together scores of 5 and 4.27 to lead at the midway point, but Toledo earned a 7.17 to go ahead 10 to 9.27.

Toledo increased his lead with a 4.23, leaving Callinan chasing a 6.41 in the last nine minutes. He took off on a wave inside the final 10 seconds and landed a critical turn and air drop finish but a close out ended the ride and left him with a 4.83.

Clubmate Jackson Baker lost to American Kolohe Andino to leave his place on tour in limbo until late in the day.

The CT rookie, who went down 14.57 to 9, was 20^th before the contest and he needed other results to go his way after the loss. They did and he was confirmed as staying in the top 22 after a long day of competition.

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