Carissa Moore (HAW), 20, 2011 ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP WCT No. 1, is heading back to Taranaki.
TARANAKI, New Plymouth/NZL (Tuesday, April 2, 2013) – The world’s best female surfers are currently in transit from Australia’s Bells Beach to New Zealand’s Taranaki for Stop No. 4 of 7 on the 2013 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT), the TSB Bank NZ Surf Festival featuring the Dow AgroSciences Pro.
Carissa Moore (HAW), 20, 2011 ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP Women’s WCT No. 1, is coming fresh off of back-to-back wins in Margaret River and Bells Beach and the former New Zealand winner is looking forward to returning to the pristine beachbreaks of Taranaki.
“I really love New Zealand,” Moore said. “I had my first WCT win here as a rookie on tour and it is a special place for me. The waves can really turn on at Taranaki and I’m looking forward to returning there and seeing all my friends. I’ve had a good start to the season, but it’s still a long road ahead and I just have to stay focused on the job at hand.”
Moore will take on Pauline Ado (FRA), 22, and the event wildcard in Round 1 of competition.
Tyler Wright (AUS), 19, current ASP Women’s WCT No. 2, has secured Finals’ berths in every event this season, including a win on the Gold Coast. The young natural-footer will look to regain control of the leader position with a strong performance in New Zealand.
“Three Finals is a pretty good start and I guess Carissa (Moore) and I are developing a little rivalry in 2013,” Wright said. “So many good girls on tour though – anyone can win any event. Really like New Zealand though and looking forward to getting some good waves.”
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 25, reigning five-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP Women’s WCT No. 4, suffered a small undisplaced fracture of the bone in her left foot on Saturday in Round 1 of competition at Bells Beach. Despite the injury, Gilmore would still advance through two more rounds to finish 5th and will compete in Taranaki.
“The injury is a bit of a disappointment but I was still able to surf on it so we’ll see how it goes in New Zealand,” Gilmore said. “Haven’t had the best start to the season and Carissa (Moore) and Tyler (Wright) have been on point. That said, there still is opportunity this season and I’m just going to focus on staying healthy and surfing my best.”
Gilmore has drawn Coco Ho (HAW), 21, and Sage Erickson (USA), 22, in Round 1 of the TSB Bank NZ Surf Festival.
The TSB Bank NZ Surf Festival featuring the Dow AgroSciences Pro run from April 3 – 7 and will be webcast LIVE via http://www.nzsurffestival.co.nz/
