HONOLUA BAY, Maui, Hawaii/USA (Monday, December 2, 2019) – Carissa Moore (HAW) won the 2019 World Surf League (WSL) Title at the lululemon Maui Pro, the final stop on the WSL Women’s Championship Tour (CT). Moore’s victory comes following her provisional qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Although she defeated her closest opponent, 17-year-old Caroline Marks (USA), to clinch her fourth World Title, the two will represent America together as surfing makes its Olympic debut in Tokyo next year.
“That was crazy and I was trying to keep my focus and emotions in check,” said Moore. “This is incredible! It’s been years of work and years of growing and learning. It’s been a journey and I’ve been really looking forward to this moment, but it hasn’t sunk in yet. So many of my family and friends are here and I’m so excited to share this with them.”
By clinching a fourth WSL Title, the 27-year-old from Honolulu joins the likes of Lisa Andersen (USA), Wendy Botha (ZAF) and Freida Zamba (USA), Layne Beachley (AUS), and Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), further cementing her name in professional surfing’s history books. Moore also becomes Hawaii’s most-successful surfer ever on the world stage surpassing Andy Irons’ three World Titles and John John Florence’s two titles.
“I dreamed of this moment for a really long time,” continued Moore. “Each world title has been a little different and this one was definitely the hardest. Being in the Title race with Caroline and Lakey has been incredible and they’ve both really pushed me. I wouldn’t be here without my amazing support team. I felt so much love on this journey this year and it really pushed me through. This year I wanted to do things a little differently and my non-profit Moore Aloha has really given me that sense of purpose. It feels like things have come full circle and following in Duke’s footsteps in the Olympics gives me chills just to think about it. I hope to go to Tokyo and spread the aloha spirit and I’m really proud and honored to represent the USA and in particular Hawaii.”
Moore’s 2019 season is a remarkable example of consistency. In the season’s ten events, Moore hasn’t lost before the Quarterfinals, racking up three wins (South Africa, France, Portugal), two runner-up finishes, three equal 3rds and two equal 5ths to seal the deal on her fourth World Title. She is the only Top 17 surfer who managed to advance into the Quarters or better at all the events this year. Moore was stopped in the Semifinals by Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) who went on to defeat Tyler Wright (AUS) in the Final.
Moore’s achievement comes following the elimination of opponents Lakey Peterson (USA) and Marks at the lululemon Maui Pro. After Peterson’s elimination yesterday, Marks was the last contender standing to stop Moore. Unfortunately for Marks, she fell to seven-time WSL Champion Gilmore in the Quarterfinals.
“This year has been so amazing and I just want to thank everyone in my corner, I wouldn’t be here without them,” said Marks. “That heat was pretty tricky and I think my first wave was the difference, maybe if I had made that turn I would’ve made the heat, but Mike (Parsons) said if you don’t go for it you’re not going to win. The way you win Titles and events is going for it so I was stoked I went for it. Steph is such a hard competitor and so good at competing. Unfortunately, it didn’t go my way but congratulations to Carissa. She’s so inspiring and this year’s just been amazing so I’m really stoked to be a part of it.”
Carissa Moore Photos – Click Here
Marks and Gilmore have matched up four times this season in the Quarterfinals. Today was Marks’ first loss to Gilmore, who went on to win the entire event. The loss has not dampened Marks’ outlook after an incredible run in 2019 that witnessed her first CT win, the first with equal pay, a runner-up in Portugal and provisional qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
“I think the highlight of my year was winning the first event with equal pay, that was incredible,” continued Marks. “Then Portugal was amazing, it’s just been so fun traveling with Lakey and Mike and all the girls. Everyone’s been pushing me so much and my whole family is here at this event and it’s just such a special moment. I’ve made the Olympics which is probably one of, if not the biggest moments of my career and I’m just going to enjoy that and soak it all in.”
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