Down farther in the rankings than she wants to be, Carissa Moore is working hard to move up.
Moore blazed to two victories in the fourth round and the quarterfinals of the Roxy Pro France on Sunday.
A three-time world champion, Moore is ranked seventh on the World Surf League championship tour.
On Sunday, she won an intense, back-and-forth quarterfinal against six-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore of Australia.
Moore’s 9.10 in the dying moments of the heat put her on top 16.13 to 14.17 in the 3- to 4-foot clean waves at La Graviere.
“That was a very stressful heat especially because there was a moment when we both weren’t catching any waves,” Moore said. “I’m just so thankful I got that last wave. At that point I know it’s my last opportunity and I have to let go of everything and just have fun.”
Earlier, Moore eliminated Brazil’s Silvana Lima 16.00 to 7.97 in the fourth round.
Moore meets Sally Fitzgibbons, the top-ranked WSL women’s surfer, in the semifinals when the competition resumes today, conditions permitting.
No. 3 Tyler Wright of Australia, the defending world champion, takes on a challenge from No. 9 Lakey Peterson of Santa Barbara, Calif., in the other semifinal.
The men’s Quiksilver Pro France will be starting soon. Hawaii’s John John Florence, the WSL defending champion currently ranked No. 2, is set to go up against fellow Hawaii surfer Keanu Asing and Brazil’s Italo Ferreira in the first round. Hawaii’s Ezekiel Lau and Sebastian Zietz are also set to go in the first round.
