Carissa Moore Wins 4th World Surfing Title, Olympic Qualification, Semifinal Finish at Maui Pro

Hawaiʻi’s Carissa Moore has much to celebrate today, earning her 4th World Surf League Women’s Championship Tour title, securing a spot on the USA Olympic team, and garnering a semifinal finish at the lululemon Maui Pro event at Honolua Bay.

Moore’s world title is her fourth in eight years, having won the world title in 2011, 2013, 2015 and now in 2019.  In a podium ceremony, contest organizers described Moore as a surfer with “regal strength and a bright smile,” who “lifts everyone up around her.”

During the ceremony, Moore said she is “Still in the process of processing,” but described today as, “absolutely tremendous,” saying she feels an “overwhelming amount of love.”

Moore’s contention for the title heated up int he second half of the season after earning first place finishes in the Corona Open J-Bay and the Roxy Pro France.

The 27-year-old surfer from Oʻahu also had second place finishes this year at the Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast and the Oi Rio Pro; as well as four top three finishes (Margaret River Pro, Freshwater Pro, MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal and lululemon Maui Pro); and two fifth place finishes (Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and Corona Bali Protected).

Moore is also among eight elite women surfers who earned provisional qualification this week for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, where surfing makes its Olympic debut.  Joining her are: Caroline Marks (USA); Tatiana Weston-Webb and Silvana Lima of Brazil; Sally Fitzgibbons and Stephanie Gilmore of Australia; Johanne Defray of France; and Brisa Hennessy of Costa Rica.

The Maui Pro was the final stop on the 2019 World Surf League Women’s Championship Tour.  Earning the lululemon Maui Pro 2019 event title was last year’s World Surf League Women’s Championship Tour title holder, Stephanie Gilmore of Australia, who took out Moore in the semi-finals and defeated Tyler Wright, also of Australia in the final heat.

WSL CEO Sophie Goldschmidt noted that in addition to the momentous finale on Maui, this year’s tour also marked the first of equal prize money for the Women‘s circuit.

Hawaii’s Carissa Moore celebrates her fourth World Title victory at the lululemon Maui Pro. PHOTO: © WSL / Cestari SOCIAL : @wsl @kc80

Carissa Moore. (12.2.19) PHOTO: © WSL / Miers SOCIAL : @wsl @caitmiersphotography

Carissa Moore at the lululemon Maui Pro. (12.2.19) PHOTO: © WSL / Miers SOCIAL : @wsl @caitmiersphotography

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) at the lululemon Maui Pro. (12.2.19) PHOTO: © WSL / Miers SOCIAL : @wsl @caitmiersphotography.