SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Just like that, Carissa Moore’s reign atop the world of women’s surfing is over.

The top-seeded Moore, the World Surf League women’s champ since 2019, was dethroned Thursday by rival Stephanie Gilmore, the Australian who beat the top-seeded Moore head-to-head in a best two-of-three heats setting at Lower Trestles to claim the 2022 WSL title.

What You Need To Know

  • Stephanie Gilmore of Australia defeated Hawaii's Carissa Moore in the Rip Curl World Surf League Finals at Lower Trestles Beach in San Clemente, Calif., on Thursday, ending Moore's run of WSL championships going back to 2019

  • Moore was the No. 1 seed after the regular season and was afforded byes into the championship head-to-head matchup, while Gilmore, the No. 5 seed, had to earn her way into the final by defeating the Nos. 4, 3 and 2 seeds in succession on the same day

  • Gilmore outpointed Moore in two straight heats for the title and broke a tie with Layne Beachley for the most WSL championships among women with her eighth, and first since 2018

  • Moore took to social media to congratulate Gilmore

Gilmore, now a record eight-time champion, had an unreal day at the beach in which she, as the fifth seed, had to defeat the Nos. 4, 3 and 2 seeds in succession just to have a chance at Moore, who by virtue of her No. 1 status went straight to the final matchup.

Moore, 30, the five-time WSL champ and 2020 Olympic gold medalist, won the WSL Finals in its first year of its new format in 2021 after dropping the first heat of the championship. But the Punahou School graduate could not rally similarly on Thursday.

A gracious Moore took to social media to congratulate Gilmore.

"The GREATEST of all time! An honor to surf against you always. Congratulations on your 8th title! Wow! 8X!!! Holy Moly. Five X 35 min heats in one day wth all the pressure and win or die situations... it's all yours undoubtedly ... inspiration for us all," Moore wrote on Instagram.

Gilmore, 34, defeated Moore handily in the first heat of their head-to-head matchup, 15.00 to 10.90, in 1-4 foot waves. She followed that up with a 15.23 to Moore’s 11.97 in Heat 2 to win the title.

Surfers take their best two wave scores in each heat. Moore’s highest of the day was a 6.80 in the second heat.

To begin the day, Gilmore edged Brisa Hennessy of Costa Rica (by way of Hawaii), 14.76 to 14.33. 

Gilmore’s eight titles broke a tie with Layne Beachley for the most for a woman all time. Moore remains in third all-time with her five titles.

Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii.

Editor's note: this story has been updated with reaction from Carissa Moore. (Sept. 8, 2022)