When Carissa Moore was cresting toward her third world surfing championship, 18556 Jackson Ave. in Lemoore, Calif., was just an obscure parcel of dry central California farm land.
But going on four years later, the rechristened “Surf Ranch,” 100 miles inland from the Pacific Coast, and the wonder of fluid dynamics that turns out uniform, machine-made translucent waves, can be a launching pad to her milestone fourth world title and a 2020 Olympic berth.
That’s how much things have changed since Moore’s last world championship in 2015.
As the Freshwater Pro event begins today in Lemoore, Moore is in her best position yet to regain the world crown after two third places and one fifth-place finish in the rankings in the intervening years. In her first six years on the World Surf League’s Women’s Championship Tour, she’d never gone more than a year without a title.
But, now, she is back atop the WSL’s rankings heading into the home stretch with four events remaining on the 10-stop tour. The schedule winds up on Maui later this year, and three of them, including the Freshwater Pro, are events in which she is a defending champion.
Beside the prize money that could push her to a carer high in winnings above $350,000, there is a considerable milestone that would come with another world championship. With a fourth world title, the 27-year old Moore could match the most of any American woman over the last 55 years. Only Lisa Andersen (1994-97) and Freida Zamba (1984, 1985, 1986 and 1988) have won four.
“It (a fourth title) would be so special,” Moore said in a phone interview. “I mean, it has been a few years (since the last one). It would feel great to accomplish that goal.”
Whether reclaiming the crown would make a fourth one the most special of the bunch, Moore isn’t ready to say at this point. “Each one has been special and different,” Moore said. “I appreciate each one for different reasons and they have been special for where I have been in those points in my life. That (fourth) one would definitely be special in its own way.”
It would also guarantee Moore a place on the U.S. Olympic team for the inaugural surfing competition at the Tokyo Olympics. The top eight women in the final WSL rankings in December (up to a maximum of two per country) earn automatic berths.
“Obviously, in the back of my (mind) is qualifying for the Olympics,” said Moore, who got a taste of what it might be like in Japan while competing in the International Surfing Association World Games in Miyazaki, Kyushu earlier this month. “But, that’s not the focus. For me, most important (thing) is I just need to enjoy myself, do my best and, hopefully, it all falls into place.”
To do it she will have to hold off second-ranked Sally Fitzgibbons and third-ranked Stephanie Gilmore, a seven-time world champion, both of Australia, plus Americans Lakey Peterson and Caroline Marks.
But, she maintains, “I’m not putting that much pressure on myself. I’m keeping it really simple. I think I’m most looking forward to enjoying the last four events to the fullest with my family and friends and just trying to perform to my best.”
CHASING A CHAMPIONSHIP
World Surf League women’s rankings
POS. SURFER AFFILIATION POINTS
1. Carissa Moore Hawaii 41,175
2. Sally Fitzgibbons Australia 37,325
3. Stephanie Gilmore Australia 35,065
4. Lakey Peterson U.S. 33,850
5. Caroline Marks U S. 32,135
Source: World Surf League.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.
