Without the need to surf a heat in cooking waves at Honolua Bay on the final day at the Target Maui Pro, Hawaii’s Carissa Moore claimed the 2015 World Surf League title – her third. All the hard work had already been done throughout the season, and when Courtney Conlogue (USA), her nearest rival, lost to Coco Ho (HAW) in Round 4, there was nobody left to knock her from the number one spot.
Carissa Moore clinched her third world title at the Target Maui Pro.
But her season wasn’t over yet, and Carissa surfed superbly when she did eventually have to go and surf a heat. With victories over Tyler Wright (AUS) in the quarter finals, Alessa Quizon (HAW) in the semis, and a convincing win over Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) in the final, the Hawaiian capped off a fine season with victory at the last event (including a Perfect 10 to seal the deal).
Carissa’s epic 10-point ride in the final.
A tiny margin was all that separated Bianca Buitendag from advancing to the semi finals over Sally Fitzgibbons. Thank goodness we’re not judges because it was tough to decide which of the two competitors was ripping harder. Bianca was blasting much bigger turns on her backhand, while Sally sliced tighter radius arcs on her forehand. It probably came down to wave choice in the end, and the ocean sent the better ones to Sally. Final score: Sally – 18.07pts / Bianca – 18.03pts. Eish!
Bianca was ripping at Honolua Bay.
That first world tour win didn’t come the Vic Bay locals way in 2015, but with three final appearances this year, and a solid fourth place finish in the world rankings this season, it feels like only a matter of time before that comes.
All in all, there was some great surfing on display on the final day of the Target Maui Pro. It’s worth going back and watching some of the replays at worldsurfleague.com. A few of our personal favourite’s include the rides below:
Coco Ho was on fire in Round 4.
Courtney Conlogue fought back hard against Coco Ho. How’s that fired-up claim?!
One more from Carissa. The deserved 2015 WSL World Champion.
2015 SAMSUNG GALAXY WSL CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR TOP 5:
Carissa Moore (HAW) 66,200 pts
Courtney Conlogue (USA) 58,600 pts
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 55, 900 pts
Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 47,500 pts
Tyler Wright (AUS) 47,100 pts
