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Tyler Wright, Kelly Slater, and John John Florence are among the big names missing from the WSL surf event in El Salvador.
A lay day has been called for the World Surf League event in El Salvador, but organisers are hopeful of bigger swell arriving in the coming days.
Two-time world champion Tyler Wright was forced to pull out of the event due to complications from COVID-19.
Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater also withdrew due to a mystery injury, while John John Florence is out with a knee injury.
Competition will take place at the famed right-hand point break known as Punta Roca, also referred to as La Punta or Punta Chilama.
It's the first time a Championship Tour event has been held in El Salvador.
When competition gets underway, Australian Jack Robinson will be aiming to continue the hot form that saw him win the Margaret River Pro and G-Land in succession.
Those two event wins have catapulted Robinson to second in the world rankings, giving him an excellent chance to finish in the top five and qualify for the season-ending finals.
Fellow Australian Ethan Ewing sits in fifth spot, while Brazilian Filipe Toledo is a whisker ahead of Robinson on top of the standings.
Florence currently sits in third spot, but his hopes of finishing in the top five hang in the balance following his MCL injury.
On the women's side of the draw, fourth-placed Wright is likely to tumble out of the top five due to her absence in El Salvador.
Three events remain after El Salvador, meaning Wright will have time to claw her way back into the top five.
Five-time world champion Carissa Moore sits atop of the rankings, with star Australian Stephanie Gilmore in seventh.
Sally Fitzgibbons was a shock casualty from the WSL's new mid-season cut, but she has been handed a wildcard for the El Salvador Pro following Wright's withdrawal.
