Moore easily wins her heat in Portugal

Hawaii surfer Carissa Moore moved a step closer to a possible second world title on Thursday with a powerful performance in Round 1 of the EDP Cascais Girls Pro in Carcavellos, Portugal.

Moore’s 15.24 two-wave score in 2- to 3-foot surf easily outdistanced Hawaii’s Malia Manuel (8.80) and Teresa Bonvalot of Portugal (6.56). She advanced directly to Round 3.

Moore can take the Association of Surfing Professionals world title by finishing ahead of Australia’s Tyler Wright.

"It’s a little tricky out there today, but my equipment felt good and I’m just looking for the best result I can achieve here in Cascais," Moore told aspworldtour.com. "I know Tyler is close in the ratings and I just have to go out and surf my best. We’ll see what the next couple of days bring."

Wright (14.53) won her Round 1 heat over Hawaii’s Alana Blanchard (9.60) and Peru’s Sofia Mulanovich (8.56).

Blanchard and Manuel will surf in Round 2 when the contest resumes, as will Hawaii’s Coco Ho, who finished third in her heat in Round 1.

In the men’s event — the Quiksilver Pro France — Hawaii’s John John Florence advanced to the quarterfinals by winning his Round 4 heat. Florence put up a two-wave score of 12.17, topping Mick Fanning of Australia (8.00) and Michel Bourez of Tahiti (6.73).