Surf City start delayed as WSL hits El Salvador

Competition wasn't considered early on Saturday morning (AEST) at Punta Roca's right-point break on the Central American coast.

"Due to the inconsistent swell, lack of scoring waves per set, and the fact that this is an easing swell, we opted to call the event off for today," tour boss Renato Hickel said.

"We're hoping for better and more consistent conditions tomorrow and a good full day of competition."

The next call will be made at 10.15pm (AEST) on Saturday.

With just four events remaining before finals, Gilmore sits seventh on the rankings and is in need of a big result in El Salvador.

Faced with a similar prospect last year, Gilmore ended up winning at Punta Roca before shocking the field from fifth spot in the end-of-season finals to claim her eighth world crown.

Fellow Australians Tyler Wright (second) and Molly Picklum (third) are well placed to stay in the top five and qualify for finals.

On the men's side, American and defending El Salvador Pro champion Griffin Colapinto shot to world No.1 on the back of his triumph at Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch last month, while Brazilians Joao Chianca and Filipe Toledo round out the top three.

Australians Ethan Ewing and Jack Robinson sit fourth and fifth respectively in the world rankings, but they have three-time world champion Gabriel Medina and two-time world champion John John Florence biting on their heels.

Robinson started the year in the hottest of form with finishes of first, third and second from the opening three events.

But two 17th-placed results either side of missing the Margaret River Pro with a knee injury have put his finals hopes at risk.

Fellow Australians Ryan Callinan (eighth), Connor O'Leary (12th), Callum Robson (16th) and Callum Robson (18th) all made the mid-season cut to remain in the hunt.

Australian Associated Press