Hawaii surfer Moore wins Billabong Girls Rip Pro
Carissa Moore of the U.S., right, holds up her Billabong Rio Pro Women's surfing championship trophy as she is sprayed with sparkling wine by second-place finisher Sally Fitzgibbons of Australia at the winner's podium, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday May 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
U.S. surfer Carissa Moore competes in the quarterfinal round of the Billabong Rio Pro Women's surfing competition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday May 15, 2011. Moore, who is ranked first in the ASP Women?s World Title, advanced to the semifinal round after defeating Courtney Conlogue of the U.S. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
Sally Fitzgibbons, of Australia, competes in the first round of the women's Billabong Rio Pro surfing championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, May 12, 2011. Fitzgibbons is ranked second in the ASP Women?s World Title Ranking. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
U.S. surfer Carissa Moore reacts after winning the Billabong Rio Pro Women's surfing championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday May 15, 2011. Moore won the final round of the competition after defeating Sally Fitzgibbons of Australia. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
Photo Gallery: Sports Extras: Billabong Girls Rip Pro
Hawaii surfer Carissa Moore beat rival Sally Fitzgibbons to win the Billabong Girls Rip Pro in Brazil today.
Moore, who leads the women’s Association of Surfing Professionals rankings, defeated Fitzgibbons 14.87 to 13.80 out of a possible 20 points. Moore has been in all five finals this season, extending her ratings lead over Fitzgibbons, the number 2 ranked surfer.
The contest was held in two-to-four foot waves at the main event site of Barra Da Tijuca. The men’s contest did not run today.
Moore scored a 8.10 midway through the heat on a left wave that proved to be the difference in the finals, according to the contest website.
The victory is Moore’s third win on the tour.
"I just went out there and had fun and to me there was no pressure in the Final," Moore said. "I was just stoked to be in the Final regardless of how I finished. Obviously I’m happy that I won. The girls really didn’t go on those lefts, but they worked out for me today."
Moore beat local favorite Silvana Lima, 26, of Bazil to get to the finals.
"I was really nervous that I wouldn’t make the Final because I was up against Silvana (Lima) and she’s the local favorite," Moore said. ""I’m excited. We have two events left and it’d be nice to just finish really strong."
Moore and Fitzgibbons are the only two surfers in contention for the 2011 ASP Women’s World Title.
"It’s a long year and there are a couple of events to go and it has been great here competing in Rio for the first time," Fitzgibbons said. "Looking into the next few events it’s really going to be about stepping it up and having fun and focusing on my surfing. Hopefully I can get a few more results."
