SAQUAREMA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — Local girl Carissa Moore continues to prove herself as a beast in the water, winning the the Oi Rio Pro Presented by Corona on Tuesday, her 25th World Surf League Championship Tour event.
Moore’s opponent, France’s Johanne Defay started the heat strong, dropping a 7.5 with strong backside surfing on the 4-6 foot lefts at Praia de Ituana, and followed up with a 4.83 for a 12.33 total (out of a possible 20).
Ultimately, Moore (who had scores of 5.50 and a 5.93 as the last wave of the heat approached) delivered powerful backside turns to garner her a 9.50, the highest score of the event in the women’s event.
“Coming up against my good friend Johanne Defay is always difficult. She got me in G-Land and I really feel like she’s the one to beat this year. I was behind in the whole heat and I thought that I was probably going to get another 2nd place here, but things went my way. I’ve just had such an incredible week at a house with all my friends, the crowds have been amazing, and I’ve felt a lot of love and support here, so I think that’s what made it even more special,” said Moore, who currently sits at No. 1 on the Women's Championship Tour, in a WSL press release. “This is one of my favorite wins in my whole career.”
Moore now has a chance at a 6th world title at the Rip Curl WSL Finals at Lower Trestles, San Diego, September 8-16, 2022.
2022 Oi Rio Pro presented by Corona Women’s Final Results:
1 - Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.43
2 - Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.33
Nuy Cho is the executive producer of Spectrum News Hawaii. She writes the surf report and covers other general news. Read more of her stories here.