Rookie Carissa Moore breaks Steph's streak
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posted by Dyla Magazine - Women's Action Sports Coalition Online magazine dedicated to women in action sports. |
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by : Jenna Goldberg
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Let the lesson be learned: if you hold a surfing competition in New Zealand, the Kiwis will show you how it’s done. For wildcard Sarah Mason (NZL),15, it didn’t matter if you were the three-time world champ, fellow Kiwi, or even her sister - she was in it, to win it.
Things really fell into place for me here in New Zealand, and it’s a great result for my campaign this year
Carissa Moore
For the first time in ASP World Tour history, two Kiwis competed in one of the prestigious events. (It’s also the first time a New Zealand surfer has competed on the professional circuit). After sweeping the NZ Women’s Open, the under 16 division, and the under 21 division, Taranaki local Sarah Mason (NZL) gladly accepted the wildcard slot for the main event - Sarah’s older sister Arini Mason, 20, also competed in the Open.
Contest directors didn’t cut the young gun any slack, however, and pinned her against the undefeated three-time champ Stephanie Gilmore (AUS). It was good while it lasted, many might have thought. But in an ambitious heat , as conditions improved throughout the final day of competition, Sarah picked off a right-hand wave for a 6.93, as well as a buzzer-beating 7.10 out of a possible 10 to take the win.
“I’m buzzing right now,” Sarah said after her heat. “I’m so excited. This is the biggest win of my career. I was down for most of the heat, then I got a pretty good right-hander and that put me back in the hunt. I was just hoping that I could get another opportunity to score. That left came right at the end and, when I heard I got the score, I was blown away.”
The crowd at Taranaki cheered on the birthday girl (she turned 15 the day of the Women’s Open) as she made New Zealand proud.
“It’s so cool to have everyone on beach cheering you through,” she said. “Every time I finished a wave, I could hear everyone clapping and cheering. It gives you a great confidence. It’s been a great week for me, winning the New Zealand Open and then the Pro Junior and now this.”
It was the first time Steph hadn’t made it to the finals since last October.
“I felt like I was in pretty good form out there but I must have gotten too comfortable,” she said. “I made a few priority mistakes towards the end and Sarah (Mason) took advantage. She’s an excellent surfer, and today proved she’s a dangerous competitor. No one wants to go down in the third round, but it definitely opens the world title race up. It’s a long year ahead comma and I’ll be focusing on Sydney now.” Sarah advances to meet No. 9 in the world, Paige Hareb (NZL) for the first-ever, all-Kiwi heat.
Stringing through her respective heats, Carissa Moore (HAW),17, was the cause of an upset, defeating ASP Women’s World No. 5 Coco Ho (HAW),18, with an impressive 9.17 out of a possible 10 for a series of blistering backhand maneuvers. The surfer from south shore O’ahu also claimed the Expression Session title, in part due to her “Out the Back 500.”
Although it is her first year on the ASP World Tour, it isn’t her first title. Last winter Carissa took home the Gidget Pro Sunset Beach title in 2009 after receiving wildcard entry. In the Final, Carissa wasted little time, posting an excellent 9.33 out of a possible 10 on her opening wave for a flurry of electrifying backhand surfing.
“It’s frustrating but Carissa just went mad in the Final,” said finalist Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS),19. 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 win at Taranaki carries Carissa from 9th place to 6th. Steph sustains a favorable lead, with Sally Fitz in second place after performing her career best.
“I wasn’t very happy with the start of my year,” Carissa 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.”
The champ chose to donate her $15,000 prize winnings to the local Waitara Bar Boardriders Club, a gesture that received undulating support as thousands looked on.
"I went over there a few days ago and hung out with all the kids. They were all so sweet. I feel it's a good way to give them whatever they need to get them on their feet," said Carissa Moore. "We're so lucky to come to New Zealand. I thought it would be a cool way to give back after what they've given us,” she said. “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.”
The surfers now have six days off and a flight back to Australia before their next stop on the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour. The Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic held at Dee Why Point in Sydney, Australia, will run April 21 through 26, 2010.
TSB Bank Women’s Surfing Festival
Taranaki, New Zealand
Event #3 ASP World Tour
TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival Final Results:
1 – Carissa Moore (HAW) 19.16
2 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.17
TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.56 def. Sarah Mason (NZL) 11.33
SF 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.93 def. Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 15.17
TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.17 def. Melanie Bartels (HAW) 8.33
QF 2: Sarah Mason (NZL) 16.23 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 11.83
QF 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 18.33 def. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 11.00
QF 4: Chelsea Hedges (AUS) 14.67 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 13.30
Current ASP Women’s World Tour Ratings:
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
6. Carissa Moore (HAW) 1920 pts
7. Coco Ho (HAW) 1668 pts
8. Silvana Lima (BRA) 1656 pts
9. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 1464 pts
10. Paige Hareb (NZL) 1272 pts
11. Rosanne Hodge (ZAF) 1080 pts
11. Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS) 1080 pts
11. Lee Ann Curren (FRA) 1080 pts
14. Bruna Schmitz (BRA) 900 pts
14. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 900 pts
16. Claire Bevilacqua (AUS) 720 pts
16. Nikita Robb (ZAF) 720 pts
NZ Women’s Open:
Sarah Mason
Laura Rishworth
Rachel Von Zalinski
Expression session winner: Carissa Moore (HAW); Out the Back 500
NZ Opens Under 14’s:
Gaby Samson
Jasmine Smith
Dayna Short
Nam Northcott
NZ Open Longboard:
Mischa Davis
Anna Jolly
Sophia Moore
Daisy Thomas
View Original Post at dylamagazine.com
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- Filed Under:
- Surf, Sports, Boardsports
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