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CARISSA MOORE WINS TSB BANK WOMEN'S SURF FESTIVAL
Hawaiian rookie takes down Fitzgibbons in pumping offshore surf in New Zealand
The TSB Bank Women's Surf Festival enjoyed a wide range of conditions throughout the six-day event window -- culminating in exciting fashion today, in front of a capacity crowd at the primary site of Fitzroy Beach, where rookie Carrisa Moore took down Sally Fitzgibbons in great beachbreak surf.
Moore wasted little time in the final, posting a 9.33 on her opening wave for a flurry of electrifying backhand surfing. The Hawaiian rookie was quick to back it up, lighting up another running lefthander with unfettered ferocity and a complete repertoire of maneuvers for 9.83, collecting the highest heat total of the event, a 19.16 out of a possible 20, as well as the victory.
"The conditions definitely turned on for us this afternoon and I knew I couldn't leave Sally a lot of room to maneuver," Moore said. "She has been getting the highest scores every round and she's so dangerous. I just felt like I was building momentum throughout the event and fortunately peaked in the Final."
Following a relatively slow start to '09 with two Equal 9th place results, Moore (who has long been considered one of the most promising young surfers on the planet) was growing frustrated with her former 9th place ranking. Today's win vaults the young Hawaiian to ASP Women's World No. 6 and establishes her as a legitimate threat to the world title.
"I wasn't very happy with the start of my year," Moore said. "I expected more out of myself and couldn't figure out what was going on. Things really fell into place for me here in New Zealand and it's a great result for my campaign this year. I'm really excited and looking forward to Sydney."
In a show of unprecedented generosity, Moore chose to donate her US$15,000 first prize winnings to the local Waitara Bar Boardriders Club, a gesture that received undulating support from the thousands in attendance.
"I fell in love with New Zealand and I'm fortunate enough to have great support from my family and my sponsors and that puts me in a position to do things like this," Moore said. "The Haka that the Waitara Bar Boardriders Club performed before the event was beautiful and they've really opened up their community and waves to us. For this, I am very thankful."
Despite Moore's domineering start to the Final, Fitzgibbons fought back admirably; collecting a 7.50 and an 8.67, but it wasn't enough to overtake Moore.
"It's frustrating, but Carissa just went mad in the Final," Fitzgibbons said. "The waves were really good, and it was an exciting heat. I'm disappointed to not get the win, but it's still a good result for me."
Today's Runner-Up finish matches Fitzgibbons' career best and moves her from 5th to 2nd on the ASP Women's World Tour rankings, positioning her for a run at the title throughout the remainder of the year.
"It matches my best result and I'm sure I'll be happy with it down the road, but to come so close and not win still stings right now," Fitzgibbons said. "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."
Sarah Mason, wildcard into the TSB Bank Women's Surf Festival, went on a rampage in Taranaki, causing the shock elimination of reigning three-time ASP Women's World Champion Stephanie Gilmore in R3 yesterday before dispatching of compatriot and goofyfoot powerhouse Paige Hareb in this morning's Quarterfinals. Despite her juggernaut run, the youngster was unable to overcome eventual winner Moore in their Semifinal bout.
"I'm disappointed to not make the Final, but not upset at how I've gone here," Mason said. "I was just excited to win the wildcard spot, but it's been the best week of my life getting to surf against Steph and Paige. It gives me great confidence moving ahead and I do feel like one day I can be up there contesting for the world title."
Chelsea Hedges, former ASP Women's World Champion (2005), was another standout in the event and looked good for a berth in her first Final of the year. However, a late Semifinal charge by Fitzgibbons eliminated any hope of a chance at the event title and Hedges received an Equal 3rd.
"This is my third Equal 3rd in a row and it is a disappointment to miss out on the Final again," Hedges said. "I suppose it's good that I've been consistent, but to win a world title, you have to make Finals and win events. That's the goal - to win the world title. Still though, 3rd is okay and I'll just try to refocus and prepare for Sydney next week."
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