3 minute read

Hawaiian Carissa Moore has capped a dominant display at the Newcastle Cup by defeating Australian rookie Isabella Nichols in the final of the WSL event.

Four-time world surfing champion Carissa Moore has crushed Australian rookie Isabella Nichols to win the Newcastle Cup event.

Hawaiian Moore capped a dominant couple of days to win her 24th World Surf League title, scoring a two-wave total of 15.73 which included a near-perfect 9.50 ride.

Moore, who scored nine-point waves in the quarter-final, semi-final and final, will head to Narrabeen for the third stop on the world tour with the world No.1 ranking.

The 28-year-old came into the event second on the rankings after losing in the final of the season opener in Hawaii to Tyler Wright but moves into the yellow jersey after the Australian's early exit in Newcastle.

"I feel so good to be standing number one at the end of this contest," Moore told the WSL broadcast.

"This year is going to be a great race and a good title showdown at the end of year, I hope I make it there.

"It was a really fun final against Isabella, big congratulations to her for a great result in her rookie season."

Nichols, the 23-year-old Sunshine Coast product competing in her maiden WSL event final, could only post 8.34 in response as Moore charged to the win at Merewether Beach.

Despite the defeat, Nichols leaves Newcastle on a high after a remarkable run in just her fifth tour event - one of the highlights being her quarter-final win over seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore.

She eliminated fellow Sunshine Coast product Keely Andrew in the semi-finals.

"The last few days have been like something I never dreamed would happen ... lots of highs, obviously not as much of a high right now but it's pretty cool to surf against some of your favourite people," Nichols told AAP.

"It's been an experience for sure, something I didn't expect and I am kind of speechless.

"I've still got a long way to go, a lot more events but to start like this is pretty special."

The window for the Narrabeen Classic opens on April 16.