ASP World Tour rookie Carissa Moore out-manoeuvred the in-form Sally Fitzgibbons in a hard-fought final in the barreling waves off Fitzroy Beach at the New Zealand Surf Festival.
The Australian had dominated the event, setting the highest scores in every round and seeing off former world champions Sofia Mulanovich and Chelsea Hedges in the process.
But the hugely promising Hawaiian teenager made the most of the conditions to establish a solid lead and setting the highest heat total of the event, a 19.16 out of a possible 20 in the process. Moore, 17, posted an excellent 9.33 out of a possible 10 on her opening wave before running through her repertoire of manoeuvres on a running left-hander.
Fitzgibbons hit back, collecting a 7.50 and an 8.67, but could not put on enough points to overhaul Moore. “It’s frustrating but Carissa (Moore) just went mad in the final,” said Fitzgibbons. “The waves were really good, and it was an exciting heat. But to come so close and not win still stings right now.”
'I felt like I was building momentum throughout the event and fortunately peaked in the final' – Carissa Moore
But the 19-year-old at least matched her career best in the top level of the ASP and the result puts her second overall in this year’s championship. “I feel like I am surfing well and surfing smart and it will happen eventually. To be second on the rankings now is great for me and the goal is to reign in Steph (Gilmore) over the next couple events.”
© ASP
To win her second ASP World Tour event, Moore knew she couldn’t allow Fitzgibbons to see daylight. “I knew I couldn’t leave Sally a lot of room to manoeuvre. She has been getting the highest scores every round and she’s so dangerous,” said Moore. “I just felt like I was building momentum throughout the event and fortunately peaked in the final.”
As an event, this was definitely one for the young stars. As well as Fitzgibbons’ and Moore’s high scores, there was the headline-making performance of New Zealand’s wildcard entry Sarah Mason, 15, who put out Gilmore en-route to the semi-finals.
And to support the development of young Kiwi surfers, Moore fittingly donated her $15,000 first prize winnings to the Waitara Bar Boardriders Club to the delight of the crowd on the beach.
TSB Women’s Surf Festival Final
1 Carissa Moore (HAW) 19.16
2 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.17
Semi Final
Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.56 def. Sarah Mason (NZL) 11.33
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.93 def. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 15.17
Quarter Final
Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.17 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 8.33
Sarah Mason (NZL) 16.23 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 11.83
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 18.33 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 11.00
Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 14.67 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 13.30
ASP Women’s World Tour Top Five:
1. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 2760 pts
2. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 2280 pts
3. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 2268 pts
= 4. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 2076 pts
= 4. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 2076 pts
You can watch videos and highlights at nzsurffestival.co.nz and for the latest ASP tour standings and more, visit aspworldtour.com The next stop on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour is the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic held at Dee Why Point in Sydney, Australia, from April 21-26.
© ASP
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