Hawaii’s Carissa Moore Caps Tour With Season Title

After a long year and one of the closest races in ASP history, a win at the EDP Cascais Girls’ Pro cemented Carissa Moore’s second career world title. Photo by ASP/Poullenot/AQUASHOT.

By Rodney S. Yap

Hawaii surfer Carissa Moore won the 2013 ASP Women’s World Tour Championship today at the season-ending event, EDP Cascais Girls Pro, in Portugal.

The 21-year-old Moore secured her second world surfing crown in three years after sole remaining contender Tyler Wright was eliminated by Sally Fitzgibbons, in the quarterfinals of the Cascais Girls Pro at Guincho Beach.

“I was just waiting for a wave. Sally’s had a great campaign this year, I knew she was going to be tough out there. She got two sick waves,” Wright reportedly told the media following her loss.

The 19-year-old Wright needed to finish higher than Moore to seal the title. Fitzgibbons outscored Wright 16.33 to 13.73.

“I can’t really speak right now because I’m so happy,” Moore said. “I woke up this morning listening to music and I started crying because I really felt like today was my day.” Photo by ASP/Poullenot/AQUASHOT.

Moore’s win marks just the third time in the past 16 years that a non-Australian was crowned world champion.

Moore advanced to the finals by beating Australia’s reigning and five-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore before eclipsing Fitzgibbons in the final 10.44 to 9.70.

The Hawaii surfer and Punahou graduate happened to be in the water for her own semifinal heat when officials told her she had won. Moore was beside herself once she returned to the beach where she was greeted by number of friends, family and admirers.

“I can’t really speak right now because I’m so happy,” said Moore, according to media reports out of Portugal and Australia. “I woke up this morning listening to music and I started crying because I really felt like today was my day.

“This title is much sweeter as it was so close with Tyler. She’s so young, but so strong and fearless when it comes to competition. She can always come back and really pushed me to work my hardest this year.”

Wright said she was happy enough with the result as she had been trying all year just to enjoy her surfing and let the points take care of themselves.

“I’m happy . . . I don’t feel like I lost,” Wright said. “No matter what happened or what the final result was, I was always going to feel like that. This year has been about being myself and enjoying surfing. Second is my best result and I’ve had a great year.

“Carissa has had such a sick year, I’m so happy for her to win. She’s by far the best surfer in the world.”

Moore’s win of the EDP Cascais Girls Pro was her fourth elite tour victory of the season. Fitzgibbons finished runner-up.

EDP CASCAIS GIRLS’ PRO FINAL RESULTS
1. Carissa Moore (HAW) 10.44
2. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 9.70

EDP CASCAIS GIRLS’ PRO SEMIFINAL RESULTS
SF 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.33 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 12.33
SF 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.00 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 13.17

EDP CASCAIS GIRLS’ PRO QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
QF 1: Sage Erickson (USA) 14.06 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 12.26
QF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.23 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) vs. 12.66
QF 3: Coco Ho (HAW) 13.34 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 9.40
QF 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.33 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.73