Was this the craziest pipeline collision ever? The drone view of that infamous wipe out is something else, they say it’s good to share but this is taking the p*ss right? You’ll be pleased to hear they hugged and made up post pipe cuddle.
Hawaii’s Moana Jones Wong Defeats 5X World Champion Carissa Moore in Final, Jumps to World No. 1 on WSL Rankings.
Moana Jones Wong (HAW) made surfing history today by winning the Billabong Pro Pipeline in an all-Hawaiian Final against five-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW). The first-ever full women’s event on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) at the iconic North Shore break culminated in fantastic fashion with Wong’s statement-making victory.
“I can’t believe it, I’m just losing it right now,” Wong said. “This is the best moment of my life and I’m so baffled. I never thought I was ever going to accomplish this. Carissa Moore is my favorite surfer and my hero, I always wanted to have a Final at Pipeline with her.”
The 22-year-old local surfer that has committed her time to the Pipeline lineup has already proven herself at one of the most challenging waves in the world, and now has put the CT on alert with her performance in competition today. A five-time finalist on the Qualifying Series at Pipeline, she won the HIC Pipe Pro last December and stepped up her game against the world’s best athletes to claim her first CT win. She is the first wildcard to do so since two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) in 2010 just up the road at Sunset Beach.
In the Final, Wong picked up right where she left off with two back-to-back rides on Banzai Pipeline to post an early lead of 12 points. The crowds erupted every time the local hero got up to her feet and as she made every wave she paddled for in the opening half, the momentum seemed to be on her side. Another successful ride on at Pipeline pushed the requirement for Moore further up and the World Champion was against the ropes with 10 minutes remaining on the clock.
As time ran out, Wong got a final opportunity when she started super deep, counter-peak on a left, and got a clean exit for a 7.67 (out of a possible 10) and a victory lap on home turf as Moore (above) admitted defeat and congratulated her opponent. Now sitting as World No. 1, Wong will also receive a wildcard slot into the next stop on the 2022 Championship Tour, the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach, which opens next week.
Now a two-time runner-up at Pipeline, Moore added another stellar result on her resume to kick-start her defending campaign on the 2022 CT. Unable to find the exit door on a few big waves in the Final, Moore was humbled by the performance of her young opponent and gracious in defeat.
“I feel like I’m constantly learning,” Moore said. “Today was a little bit outside of my comfort zone, there was a lot of water moving and for me, it was just about putting in some more time with only another surfer out. Congratulations Moana, there’s no one more deserving, she’s put in years and years out here and you could tell she did a great job.”
Australia’s Wright (below) put up a great fight in the first Semifinal against Wong, locking into a Backdoor bomb for an 8.83, the best single score of their heat. However, the former World Champion failed to back up her main score and a priority mistake in the dying moments of the heat ended her run at the inaugural women’s Billabong Pro Pipeline in equal third place.
“It feels amazing to have this opportunity,” Wright said. “We’re in the pioneering stage, Moana is literally the best of us, she’s trained so hard out here and was always going to be the number one to beat. I was scared but by the end of the heat, you’re starting to figure out where your lines are. None of us have been out there when it’s this big and nowhere close to being in the position. Overall I’m absolutely thrilled, we do deserve to be out there and to have a position in the lineup and I think we’re really showing that right now and it’s really exciting for the future.”
In the second Semifinal, Lakey Peterson (USA) did not find any opportunities to score and fell short against Moore. But the perennial title contender posts a strong start to her 2022 campaign with an equal third place.
For highlights from the Billabong Pro Pipeline, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Billabong Pro Pipeline Women’s Final Results:
1 – Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 14.34
2 – Carissa Moore (HAW) 3.73
Billabong Pro Pipeline Women’s Semifinals Results:
HEAT 1: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 14.00 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 9.76
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 7.84 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 1.26
Event wildcard Moana Jones Wong (HAW) will face two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) at the Billabong Pro Pipeline Semifinals when competition resumes. Photo: © WSL / Bielmann
• Wright, Wong, Moore, and Peterson Through to Semifinals
• Five-time WSL Champion Moore Finds Near-Perfection at Backdoor
• Big Shake-Up on Women’s Rankings
• Next Call: Friday, February 4, at 7:50 a.m. HST
• More Available at WorldSurfLeague.com
The Billabong Pro Pipeline, the first stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT), completed the women’s Round of 16 and women’s Quarterfinals in six-to-twelve foot conditions at Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu. Today’s competition saw big eliminations and is now down to the final four competitors: Tyler Wright (AUS), Moana Jones Wong (HAW), Carissa Moore (HAW), and Lakey Peterson (AUS)
The next call of the Billabong Pro Pipeline will be on Friday, February 4, at 7:50 a.m. HST. There will be no competition tomorrow, Thursday, February 3.
Five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore Finds Near-Perfection at Billabong Pro Pipeline
As the only surfer to score excellent waves during today’s competition, five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) found success at Backdoor and locked her spot into the Semifinals. Moore started the day facing international surfing icon Bethany Hamilton (HAW), who got the last-minute call to replace Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) at the Billabong Pro Pipeline. Moore kicked off the heat with a mid-range score going on her backside at Pipeline. Then, she moved over to Backdoor where she scored a near-perfect 9.50 (out of a possible 10) with a deep barrel and locked her slot in the Quarterfinals.
“I have to admit I was really nervous this morning,” said Moore. “I had a good cry where I got all my nerves and anxiety out. It was nice, the water settled and the sun came out, so I was happy because it felt like a really nice day for us. There’s so much energy you feel out on the reef, and on top of that, there’s so much history out there. So being a surfer, this is where you want to surf, and where you want to improve yourself.”
Later in the day, Moore battled for a place in the Semifinals with Brisa Hennessy (CRI, above), who secured her place in the Quarterfinals after winning her Round of 16 heat against rookie threat Gabriela Bryan (HAW). Moore managed to ride another excellent Backdoor wave in the slowing conditions, earning an 8.33 with just six minutes remaining to seal her victory over Hennessy.
“We have quite a bit of a waiting period left and I’m excited to see what the rest of the waiting period brings. Hopefully, it’s not too big,” added Moore.
Big Shake Up in the Women’s Rankings at Billabong Pro Pipeline
World No. 2 Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) and World No. 3 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS, above) were eliminated in their Round of 16 heats by local favorites. Fitzgibbons could not overcome Malia Manuel (HAW) and Weston-Webb was stopped by Moana Jones Wong (HAW). Manuel and Wong focused on hunting Backdoor barrels, and both advanced with ease into the Quarterfinals.
“Sally is a fantastic barrel rider so I was really looking forward to this heat,” said Manuel. “To compete here is so different from when you’re surfing out there with one hundred people, you really get to focus on yourself and set yourself in the right spot. I’m already thinking of what I can improve on for the next heat just learning from those couple of waves I caught in the first heat.”
But, the Quarterfinals marked the end of Manuel’s surge through the event after facing elimination from two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS, above). Wright walked through the Round of 16 to the Quarterfinals as rookie India Robinson (AUS) pulled out of competition due to a pre-existing injury. With WSL’s commitment to give the women access to Pipeline for the first time, Wright still had the opportunity of surfing the 40-minute heat by herself, using the time in the water to figure out the conditions, and scored a great Backdoor barrel for a 5.50.
“I’m just stoked to have the opportunity of being out there and catch waves,” said Wright. “The more I’m out there, the more I’m taking in, putting myself in a good and safe position, noticing wave directions and swell lines. Every time I’m out there it’s just so much information for my brain, it’s amazing!”
Wildcard Wong went on to battle CT sophomore Isabella Nichols (AUS) and began the Quarterfinal duel with a 5.67 (out of a possible 10). Wong then added a backup 5.67 to her scoreline after finding another hollow exit and left Nichols needing a near-perfect score. But, the Australian’s last effort on a heavy Backdoor wave earned her a 7.67 and couldn’t find one more opportunity as time expired, sending Wong into the Semifinals.
“I wasn’t planning on doing that at all,” said Wong. “I thought I was only going to go right. Then I got out there and Pipeline just gave me waves and thought ‘Oh, this is nice.’ I haven’t done a contest in years and I know Isabella can definitely pack barrels and get sick ones so I was nervous going up against her.”
World No. 4 Johanne Defay (FRA, above) looked comfortable and confident in the conditions during Heat 6 of Round of 16, taking the win against rookie Molly Picklum (AUS). Moving into the Quarterfinals, Defay faced World No. 7 Lakey Peterson (USA). Defay was able to keep the lead on the scoreboard until the final seconds when Peterson got a buzzer-beater, Backdoor gift to take the win and advance to the Semifinals, where she will face Moore.
“God was looking out for me there today,” said Peterson. “I was looking at my watch and I had twenty seconds so I knew I had to make her go on the first one so I had a clear area so I could take off for the next one. It worked out and I was in the perfect spot, and it came. It felt meant to be.”
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Billabong Pro Pipeline Women’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 8.73 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 7.06
HEAT 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 8.27 DEF. India Robinson (AUS)
HEAT 3: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 10.77 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 9.44
HEAT 4: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 11.06 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 7.03
HEAT 5: Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.67 DEF. Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 2.23
HEAT 6: Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 9.16 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 5.03
HEAT 7: Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.94 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 11.17
HEAT 8: Lakey Peterson (USA) 13.83 DEF. Luana Silva (HAW) 2.20
Billabong Pro Pipeline Women’s Quarterfinals Results:
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 5.77 DEF. Malia Manuel (HAW) 4.97
HEAT 2: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 11.34 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 10.44
HEAT 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) 13.33 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 4.37
HEAT 4: Lakey Peterson (USA) 8.70 DEF. Johanne Defay (FRA) 6.90
Billabong Pro Pipeline Women’s Semifinals Matchups:
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Moana Jones Wong (HAW)
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA)
Billabong Pro Pipeline Men’s Quarterfinals Matchups:
HEAT 1: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
HEAT 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Lucca Mesinas (PER)
HEAT 3: Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. John John Florence (HAW)
HEAT 4: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)
Out of the entire ocean, there’s one small stretch of reef that’s become the most significant place in the world of surfing: The Banzai Pipeline. Through the eyes of North Shore lifeguard and bodysurfing legend Mark Cunningham, this is the story of the most dangerous, challenging wave in history and the men and women who helped shape how it was ridden.
Phil Edwards takes the first giant leap over the ledge, forever changing the world of surfing.
Before Gerry, there was Butch. The first to peek behind the curtain, paint on the cave walls and make it out alive.
Gerry Lopez by no means invented style, but he was undoubtedly its master.
A brigade of Australians and South Africans descend on the North Shore with a one-track mind-set: be the best guys at Pipe and Backdoor, by any means necessary.
The Banzai Pipeline is considered one of the most demanding and dangerous waves in the world today. This weekend the Billabong Pro Pipeline kicks off and history will be made as 18 women paddle out in the first ever WCT event at this iconic break. This is the story of the women who have paved the way for this moment. The brave and inspiring female surfers who have dared to push themselves over the edge, wave by wave, one generation at a time. Introducing Pioneers of Pipeline with Coco Ho.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this project. It took many different shapes over the years to get to where it is now. It was originally started in December 2017 as a film that focused more on a group of friends who grew up learning to surf Pipeline. Through different creative rounds, and a couple years on the shelf, it eventually evolved into an idea that followed the imagined point of view of Pipeline, with a perspective narrated by local musician Paula Fuga. It was a fun challenge to create a visual history of the wave, but this is not meant to be a complete story. There are too many people to name who have become a part of Pipeline’s history over the years; they could never be fit into one short film. Thank you again to everyone who helped us put this together. The project is dedicated to Derek Ho, and those like him who have dedicated their life to surfing Pipeline. – JJF
