- 2017-10-05
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SPORTS
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Donate to support families affected by the crisis in Ukraine ➔ World Surf League: Cascais Women's Pro, Nikki Van Dijk Claims First Victory of 2017 Season
The 8th Stop on WSL Women's Championship, Cascais Women's Pro witnessed Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) claimed her first ever CT event victory at Cascais four-to-five foot waves.
In the final, Nikki Van Dijk competed against 3-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW).
Nikki Van Dijk defeated Lakey Peterson (USA) in Quarterfinals and Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) in Semifinals, advanced to the Final.
Meanwhile, Carissa Moore took down Sage Erickson (USA) in Quarterfinals and Malia Manuel (HAW) in Semifinals.
Nikki Van Dijk charge to an early lead by building a 10.17 combined heat total in the opening ten minutes. Carissa Moore came back with a bang and posted 7.83 points on her backhand to close the gap on her opponent, but Van Dijk responded and increased her lead, leaving Moore in need of 2.84 points. Carissa Moore spent the remainder of the 35 minute bout chasing down a score. Moore caught a wave in the final minutes, but she earned only 2.27 points, and Van Dijk took the win.
The event winner Nikki Van Dijk said;
“I have jelly legs, everything is jelly but I’m just so happy. It was so close at the end but I think I’ve won! It’s wild and woolly out there. I was scrambling around at the end because I knew Carissa [Moore] only needed a small score so I was wanting to better my score too. Carissa can get 8’s and 9’s in her sleep but it was really hard at the end. I like the feeling of this so let’s keep it going. I’m just going to enjoy this moment. This is literally what I’ve wanted to do my whole life.
"It feels amazing, this is insane," said Van Dijk. "I'm living my eight-year-old dream right now and I'm over the moon. I couldn't imagine what this would feel like but it feels so good. Now that I've done it I'm so hungry to win even more."- Runner-up Carissa Mooresaid;
“It’s been an up and down year so I’m so stoked just to make it past the Quarterfinals,” said Moore. “The Final was just the cherry on top of a great day. Things are really changing out there. I know I only needed a two-something but sometimes those scores are the hardest to get. I’m really looking forward to France and having a lot of fun there.”
3th place Sally Fitzgibbons said;
“It’s a bit tough at the moment. I really thought I’d done enough coming in from that heat. It was one of those heats that I thought I surfed really well so to hear those scores and not come in with the win is a challenge, but something I’ll learn from. It felt good that my surfing stepped up from the Quarterfinals but it just wasn’t to be today. It was a great opportunity today to go further in the lead and I’m glad we’ve got an event next week. The challenge is keeping me inspired and fired up to get out there and keep making heats. Everyone is hungry and surfing so well so it all comes down to these close heats.”
3th place Malia Manuel said;
“It was fun, I was a little frustrated to fall on that one wave and that changed my outlook on the heat. There are so many emotions, I can’t not be grateful for a third place finish but I am disappointed. I’m still feeling a little less than perfect but I’m happy to be back, get in the groove and I’m also so happy for Carissa [Moore]. I love Hossegor so I’m looking forward to that event, it’s one of my favorite stops on tour.”
Cascais Women's Pro Final Results:
F 1: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 10.67 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 10.10
Cascais Women's Pro Semifinals Results:
SF 1: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 13.66 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.50
SF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.50 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 6.50
Cascais Women's Pro Quarterfinals Results:
QF 1: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 10.50 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 7.67
QF 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 12.66 def. Keely Andrew (AUS) 9.10
QF 3: Malia Manuel (HAW) 11.60 def. Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 10.83
QF 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 13.37 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 9.60
All photos copyright by World Surf League.- source : World Surf League
