Carissa Moore (HAW) earned her second event win of the season and her 27th overall CT career win today at Main Break. The five-time World Champion now has a third Margaret River win to her name after taking down two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) in the Finals. Now, Moore hopes to overtake Wright, who currently holds the World No. 1 position, as she's in striking distance at No.2. 

“It was a crazy week and a crazy month being away from home, it’s a roller coaster,” said Moore. “Coming here, the doubts were starting to creep in. But, I felt the love and the joy from this community and I want to say thank you because I couldn’t have done it without that good energy. I didn’t see Tyler's (Wright) wave so I thought I might have wasted my opportunity, but I just thought it’s up to the universe at this point.”

 

The women’s Final was a battle of two World Champions and former Margaret River Pro event winners. After a slow start, Moore took the lead by showcasing her trademark wrapping carves to post a 6.10. Wright had one more opportunity right before the horn but mistimed the end section and the score came up short.

Tyler Wright (AUS) made her second-consecutive Finals appearance today and her third of the 2023 CT season. On her way to the Finals, she overcame eight-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in the Quarterfinals. She then went on to face an in-form Caroline Marks (USA) in the SemifInals. Marks held the lead going into the second half of their matchup, but Wright found a gem of a set wave and posted an excellent 8.50 to take the heat win.

“Carissa’s been an incredible competitor and to have another Final with her was amazing,” said Wright. “It didn’t go great for me in that Final, but I’ve had a wonderful week and a wonderful Australian leg. I haven’t been in that position for a long time. I like what I’m doing at the moment and how my team has worked with me in the last year to position how I want to be. I’m just settling into the whole process again. I don’t expect much, but I enjoy doing this work.”

For a third consecutive year, local favorite Bronte Macaulay (AUS) claimed an equal third-place finish at her home event in Margaret River. The talented goofy-footer was in solid form all week after winning the Local Trials before eventually falling to Moore in the Semifinals. Macaulay will hope to take her momentum into the Challenger Series season opener, the Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro, which starts next week at Snapper Rocks.

 

With Margaret River determining who made the Mid-season Cut, the remaining CT competitors will now prepare for the back half of the season, beginning with the Surf Ranch Pro, which will run on May 27 and May 28, 2023.