GUINCHO, Cascais/Portugal (Saturday, October 5, 2013) – Freshly-crowned 2013 ASP Women’s World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW), 21, capped off a banner day at Guincho Beach by claiming the EDP Cascais Girls Pro presented by Billabong over an in-form Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 22.
Moore, who clinched her second ASP Women’s World Title earlier in the day with the elimination of Tyler Wright (AUS), 19, in the Quarterfinals by Fitzgibbons, carried her momentum into the Final to collect her fourth elite tour victory of the season.
“Conditions got tough there in the end – no doubt,” Moore said. “I was still riding the high of clinching the world title and I think that momentum helped me push through in the end. Sally (Fitzgibbons) is such a strong opponent and I knew she was hungry for another win after last week in France. It’s been an incredible day for me though and an incredible year for the girls on tour. There are bigger and better things coming in 2014.”
Fitzgibbons, perennial threat to the ASP Women’s World Title, played a vital role in this season’s end-game, eliminating Wright in the Quarterfinals before making her way to the podium.
“Big day for women’s sport and a big finish to the season,” Fitzgibbons said. “Shame the conditions deteriorated for the Final, but congrats to Carissa (Moore) – she has been really impressive all year. Very happy with a strong finish to the year and I’m looking forward to next season with the huge commitment to women’s surfing from the ASP. It’s exciting times ahead.”
Sage Erickson (USA), 22, needed a win in Portugal to stay on tour for 2014. Although she came into the event as a lower seed, the young Californian put in a blistering performance, scalping top seeds with a powerful and stylish backhand approach. Her loss in the Semifinals to the 2013 ASP Women’s World Champion, however, would see her fall short of requalification.”
“I feel good,” Erickson said. “I backed myself coming into the final two events and feel like I surfed my best and delivered two strong results. It’s unfortunate that I couldn’t go a bit further or have better results earlier in the year, but my confidence is there. I feel like I belong on tour and we’ll see what next year brings.”
Coco Ho (HAW), 22, was in blistering form throughout the event but ultimately fell short to Fitzgibbons in their Semifinal bout.
“Super stoked with a 3rd here in Portugal and it’s one of my better results of the season,” Ho said. “I’ve won in Portugal before and I’m always comfortable here. It’s been an up-and-down year for me, but I’m happy to finish with a strong result and recharge for next season. Thanks to my family and sponsors for the support this year.”
Highlights from the EDP Cascais Girls Pro presented by Billabong will be available via www.aspeurope.com/edpcascais
For more information, visit www.aspworldtour.com
EDP CASCAIS GIRLS PRO FINAL RESULTS –
1 – Carissa Moore (HAW) 10.44
2 – Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 9.70
EDP CASCAIS GIRLS PRO SEMIFINAL RESULTS –
SF 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.33 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 12.33
SF 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.00 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 13.17
EDP CASCAIS GIRLS PRO QUARTERFINAL RESULTS –
QF 1: Sage Erickson (USA) 14.06 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 12.26
QF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.23 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) vs. 12.66
QF 3: Coco Ho (HAW) 13.34 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 9.40
QF 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.33 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.73
