While he wasn't able to clinch back-to-back titles in Jeffreys Bay, Ethan Ewing can at least celebrate Australian surfing's first selection for next year's Paris Olympics.
The Queenslander was outclassed in the final of the Corona Open by Brazil's rankings leader Filipe Toledo, who was untouchable at the famed South African point break.
The defending world champion, Toledo produced a two-wave total of 18.76 to blow Ewing (12.60) away.
However, 24-year-old Ewing climbed to world No.2 on the back of reaching the last two, securing his spot in the World Surf League finals in California in September, when the world champion will be decided.
Ewing also became the first Australian to earn a provisional Olympic spot as he's guaranteed to be the country's highest-ranked male surfer come year-end.
"It's huge," Ewing told the WSL.
"It's been a huge goal of mine and to go to the Olympics, especially at a wave like Teahupo'o, it's going to be exciting and something to work towards."
Surfing made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, where Owen Wright won the bronze medal for Australia.
Next year's Olympic event will be held at Teahupo'o in Tahiti, a French overseas territory.
Ewing will get a taste of what's to come in 2024 with the last remaining tour event before the finals to run at the famous break from August 11.
The race is still on to be Australia's second male Olympic representative, with world No.8 Jack Robinson, No.10 Ryan Callinan and 11th-ranked Connor O'Leary all still in contention.
On the women's side, Tyler Wright is in line for her first Olympic campaign, currently sitting second in the rankings, while young gun Molly Picklum is fourth.
Reigning world champion and Tokyo Olympian Stephanie Gilmore is ranked seventh.
The selection will be ratified by the Australian Olympic Committee next July, with surfers required to also attend qualification events away from the WSL tour.
