COOLANGATTA, Australia — Carissa Moore and Tamaroa McComb will receive the final seeds into the Roxy Pros and Quiksilver after completing the Roxy Pro Trials and the Kommunity Project trials yesterday in Australia. After two rounds of intense competition, the
COOLANGATTA, Australia — Carissa Moore and Tamaroa McComb will receive the final seeds into the Roxy Pros and Quiksilver after completing the Roxy Pro Trials and the Kommunity Project trials yesterday in Australia.
After two rounds of intense competition, the Kommunity Project trials whittled down the 16-man field to the final four.
McComb was nigh unstoppable in his finals clash against local powerhouses Troy Brooks, Dale Richards and Blake Ainsworth. The young Tahitian displayed a maturity well beyond his 17 young years, mixing futuristic fin-free turns with classical rail work.
“The waves have been pretty fun the past few days so I am stoked I could come here today and win,” McComb said in a release. “I’ve been surfing a lot around here at Snapper, Kirra and D’Bah. They’re all good waves.”
McComb now draws reigning Association of Surfing Professionals world champion Mick Fanning in the opening round of Quiksilver Pro competition.
“I actually feel more relaxed competing against Mick (Fanning) than I would meeting a girl,” McComb said. “This is the best thing that has ever happened to me and even competing against Troy (Brooks) was great. I am very much looking forward to the event.”
The women’s final was a hard-fought bout between up-and-comers Sally Fitzgibbons and Arini Mason, powerbroker Laurina McGrath and last year’s Roxy Pro runner-up Moore. Although Fitzgibbons opened up to a strong lead early on, it was the Hawaiian who answered back with the only perfect 10 of the day and put her competitors on the ropes.
“Snapper is such a good wave and I am always stoked to surf here,” Moore said. “I felt a little bit of pressure earlier today, but after the first two heats I felt pretty good.”
Moore will open up her 2008 Roxy Pro campaign against reigning ASP Women’s world champion Stephanie Gilmore in her Round 1 heat.
“I’ve never competed against Stephanie (Gilmore) before, but I have enjoyed watching her a lot,” Moore said. “She had a really good year last season so I’m just stoked to have the opportunity and I look forward to it.”
The Quiksilver and Roxy Pros kick off the 2008 ASP World Tour and ASP Women’s World Tour seasons.
Event organizers will convene today at 7 a.m. local time to assess the conditions and make the official call for the day.
