Carissa Moore is back in the top spot of the ASP World Title Tour after defeating Sofia Mulanovich in the final of the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic.
18-year-old Hawaiian Carissa Moore has returned to the podium’s highest block after winning the richest event on the ASP Women’s World Tour, the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic at Dee Why Point in Sydney, Australia.
Moore resumes her position as the ASP Women’s world number one after defeating 2004 ASP Women’s World Champion Sofia Mulanovich to claim her second out of four finals this season and pocketing a cool $40,000 winner’s cheque along the way.
“I’m really, really happy, I’ve been fired up ever since the last two events with Sally (Fitzgibbons) and I’m just super excited I was able to come out on top this time,” said Moore.
On a day when wave selection proved critical to success, Moore clawed her way back into the lead in the dying minutes of the final, posting 6.83 and 8.33 (out of 10) scores, to defeat Mulanovich by 15.60 to 14.60 (out of 20.00).
“She was leading for most of the heat and I was kind of nervous out there.”
“I was really excited to make another final and it was refreshing to have a Sofia as an opponent,” Moore said. “She was leading for most of the heat and I was kind of nervous out there.”
Moore’s victory sees her a healthy 3,350 points ahead of closest rival Fitzgibbons on the ASP World Title rankings, and has marked herself as the surfer to beat with just three events remaining.
“I’m trying to not think about the World Title too much, I know that there are a lot of girls within range, so I’m just going to keep my head down and have fun.”
© ASP/ Will H-S
Mulanovich found unique form to reach her first final this year as she eliminated Fitzgibbons in their dramatic semi-final clash before placing runner-up to Moore in the final.
“I haven’t been on the podium for a while and I’m just stoked to be here, it feels amazing,” said Mulanovich. “Carissa is an amazing surfer and she’s really hard to beat, although I was beating her for a while out there - I surprised myself.”
© ASP/ Will H-S
Fitzgibbons suffered a shock elimination during the semi-finals, blaming poor wave-selection for her downfall against Mulanovich that cost her, her Final berth as well as the ASP World No. 1 spot.
“I can’t be disappointed with a third place but I think the waves weren’t in my favour, I just didn’t quite find my rhythm,” Fitzgibbons said. “Some days you have it like in Bells and New Zealand and some days you don’t and today I just wasn’t quite there.”
Fitzgibbons’ equal third result marks her second such finish of the season adding to an impressive tally including two wins but sees her drop one position on the ASP World Title rankings.
“You know the World Title is something you’re always reaching for and I feel like I still have a lot to give,” Fitzgibbons said. “World No. 2 is a good place to be at so I’m just going to hold my head up high and hope to get that rhythm back at the next few events and hopefully snatch a few more wins along the way.”
Want more?
- Visit the official ASP World Tour website
- Carissa Moore's profile page
- Sofia Mulanovich's profile page
- Sally Fitzgibbons' profile page
- Check out our Sally Fitzgibbons gallery
© ASP/ Will H-S
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