It was, for sure, Carissa Moore’s day.
The Hawaii surfer woke up Saturday feeling emotionally charged and topped off her day by capturing her second ASP women’s world championship.
She was sitting in the water during her semifinal heat in the EDP Cascais Girls Pro in Guincho Beach, Portugal, when she first heard the news of her world title.
That’s when it was announced that the only other surfer still in contention for the crown, Tyler Wright of Australia, was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Sally Fitzgibbons.
Moore, 21, returned to the beach after winning her semifinal, and was greeted by a throng of friends, family and admirers.
"I can’t really speak right now because I’m so happy," she said. "I woke up this morning listening to music and I started crying because I really felt like today was my day. I’ve been supported so much by my dad and boyfriend and sister and all my family and friends. This is really special for me because I get to share it with all of them."
Moore and Wright went blow-for-blow throughout the year, collecting a combined five victories in the first six events.
On Saturday, Moore went on to win her semifinal heat and then topped Fitzgibbons in the final for her fourth victory of the year on the eight-event world tour.
She earned $91,200 for the year to boost her career earnings to $429,967.
"This title is much sweeter as it was so close with Tyler," said Moore, 21, who also won the world title in 2011. "She’s so young (19), but so strong and fearless when it comes to competition. She can always come back and really pushed me to work my hardest this year."
Hawaii’s Coco Ho finished the EDP Cascais Girls Pro in third place, losing in the semifinals to Fitzgibbons.
Hawaii women have won seven world crowns — Moore (2011 and ’13), Margo Oberg (1977, ’80 and ’81) and Lynn Boyer (’78 and ’79).