Yesterday’s Brazilian showdown saw Sally Fitzgibbons defeat Carissa Moore in the final of the Billabong Rio Women’s Pro. Perhaps the enthusiastic Aussie’s success stems from her fitness secrets she divulged to us in last week’s interview.
So what actually happened between the currents and waves of the warm waters of Rio’s Atlantic surf spot? The reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP World No. 1 Carissa Moore took a speedy 8.50 for three backhand turns and added a 3.50 to her total shortly afterwards.
Fear not though, Sally’s quick answer was a superb 9.27 for three better backhand turns (sorry Carissa.) The battle continued when Carissa improved her bottom score to a 5.83 for a frontside snap before Sally combined two backhand snaps to take the lead over Moore with a score of 7.00.
Carissa’s had a triumphant month of wins, but she couldn’t find the 7.83 needed to take the crown at Rio.
Sally stands tall on the jetski back to the beach, firewire under her arm and a huge grin that thanks the waves of Rio for her second success here since she won the same event in 2012.
Roll on stop number five on the wonderful islands of Fiji [as part of the shiny new Women’s ASP Tour] taking place from May 25-30, 2014. We can’t wait!
Watch this total celebration of first-class surfing in the final highlights below:
