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Even on an overcast, stormy day at Jeffreys Bay, on the eastern cape of South Africa, Carissa Moore could almost begin to see, well, Tokyo.
Moore’s first victory of the season Friday in the World Surf League Corona Open J-Bay women’s final immediately catapulted her into the season points lead while also positioning her as the early front-runner in the pursuit of a cherished U.S. berth in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Four events remain to play out on the 10-stop WSL Women’s Championship Tour over the next four-plus months, but thanks to the win at J-Bay, Moore currently occupies the most advantageous position of any American surfer, female or male, for getting to Tokyo.
It will be the sport’s much-anticipated Olympic debut and the top eight women in the WSL’s season-ending ratings in December will earn automatic berths, up to two per country.
Knocking off Lakey Peterson, her closest rival for a U.S. berth, was huge for the 26-year-old Moore, who hits largely familiar territory in the final stretch run in a bid for a fourth world title. Moore is the defending champion in three of the four remaining events and will finish the season in home waters with the Hawaii Pro at Honolua on Maui in late November.
“I mean, it would be an honor and a dream come true to be part of the first Olympics for surfing and to represent my country,” Moore said in a post-event media session. “And, wearing (our) flag would be amazing.”
Entering the J-Bay contest, the sixth event of the season, Moore said, “To be honest I haven’t really thought too much about the Olympics. I just feel like there is so much work to be done.”
Moore said, “Out of all the countries, I think the American women, they are the most difficult field.”
Peterson, a Californian, is the second-highest ranked U.S. surfer and is fourth in the overall world rankings. She is followed by fifth-place Caroline Marks of Florida, sixth place Courtney Conlogue of California and seventh-place Malia Manuel of Kauai. Tatiana Weston-Webb of Kauai, who is eighth and was born in Brazil, is attempting to qualify for the Olympics as a Brazilian.
So, Moore said, “I know that I can’t really celebrate or think about the Olympics until this year is done.”
But there was considerable immediate satisfaction for Moore, who went deep into her Thesaurus — “stoked … super stoked … extra special … excited … ecstatic … extra sweet” to describe the breakthrough victory and the yellow jersey she claimed from Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons, symbolizing the overall points leader that went with it.
“I’m super stoked to be (back) in the yellow jersey,” Moore said. “Of course, there’s a lot of work that has to be done, but it gives me confidence heading into a month break (before the Sept. 19 Freshwater Pro in Lemoore, Calif.) — and I can breath a little easier.”
“Congratulations to Carissa, she is surfing unbelievably,” Peterson said.
“I’m feeling really good,” Moore said. “Obviously, I’m on a high right now.”
One, from which, she can see Tokyo and 2020 beginning to come into focus.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.
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