Moore And Ferreira Triumph In Emotional New Zealand Pro Victories
Five-time world champion Carissa Moore and 2019 World Surf League champion Ítalo Ferreira delivered unforgettable performances at the Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy, claiming emotional victories at Raglan’s iconic Manu Bay in New Zealand.
With super clean four-to-five-foot waves rolling through the famous left-hand point break, Finals Day produced elite surfing, massive scores and deeply emotional moments as both Moore and Ferreira secured their first Championship Tour wins since becoming parents.
Moore Produces Historic Comeback Performance
Carissa Moore reminded the surfing world why she remains one of the greatest athletes in the sport’s history, powering her way to a 29th Championship Tour victory and her first as a mother.
The Hawaiian star looked locked in from the opening rounds. She defeated American Bella Kenworthy 16.34 to 12.43 after posting an excellent 8.67 before backing it up with another dominant performance against Lakey Peterson, opening with an 8.83 to comfortably advance.
One of the standout moments of the women’s draw came in the quarter-finals when Moore faced Olympic champion Caroline Marks in a thrilling duel. In tricky light winds, Moore edged the American 17.06 to 16.04 in one of the highest-quality heats of the event.
Moore elevated her surfing to another level in the semi-finals against Bettylou Sakura Johnson. The five-time world champion unleashed near-perfect surfing, posting massive scores of 9.80 and 9.20 to finish with a stunning 19.00 heat total and eliminate the Hawaiian standout 19.00 to 13.70.
In the final, rising American star Sawyer Lindblad came out firing with a huge 9.00 score and threatened to pull off an upset. But Moore responded like a champion, finding the waves she needed and delivering a clutch 8.50 to seal a dramatic 17.90 to 16.67 victory.
“I was on the ropes for a good portion of that heat. When Sawyer dropped that 9.00, I was like, ‘OK, well, I need a wave, and I need to show up’. The love and the energy and the mana in this place are indescribable and something I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Moore said afterward
The win marked Moore’s first Championship Tour victory since 2023 and elevated her to No. 2 on the all-time CT wins list. She also joined Melanie Bartels and Lisa Andersen as one of the few women to win a world tour event after becoming a mother.
“This is for the moms, never stop dreaming if you want to. When I walked away two years ago, I didn’t know if I’d ever get this feeling back.”
Moore said emotionally
Ferreira Soars To 11th CT Victory
On the men’s side, Ítalo Ferreira produced a powerful statement to reclaim the yellow jersey and move to the top of the 2026 rankings.
The Brazilian Olympic champion opened his Finals Day campaign with a commanding victory over Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi in Round 3, posting a superb 8.57 to take the heat 15.90 to 13.30.
Ferreira continued his dominant run by eliminating fellow Brazilian Miguel Pupo in the quarter-finals before defeating Yago Dora 15.10 to 12.33 in an all-Brazilian semi-final showdown.
Australian Morgan Cibilic emerged as Ferreira’s final challenger after an impressive campaign that included victories over Griffin Colapinto and Filipe Toledo. Cibilic looked dangerous in the final after opening with an 8.80, but Ferreira answered emphatically.
The Brazilian landed two massive air-reverses on a single wave to earn a brilliant 9.33 before adding an 8.17 to secure a 17.50 to 15.80 victory and his 11th career CT title.
“I’m so stoked to win a comp on a real left. I’ve been on the road for two months, without my kid, without my wife. I was like, ‘OK, it’s time to put all the energy into this event’. Dad’s power, right? I’m so happy.”
Ferreira said
The victory lifted Ferreira seven places in the rankings and reinforced the dominance of the Brazilian Storm heading into the next stop on tour.
Big Names Fall As New Stars Rise
The event also delivered several major upsets.
Canadian Erin Brooks and reigning world champion Caitlin Simmers were both eliminated in Round 2 after losses to Gabriela Bryan and Alyssa Spencer respectively.
Current WSL champion Molly Picklum survived a tense clash against France’s Vahine Fierro before falling to Bettylou Sakura Johnson in a high-scoring quarter-final battle.
In the men’s draw, South Africa’s Jordy Smith, Brazil’s Joao Chianca and France’s Kauli Vaast all exited in Round 3, while Jack Robinson, Leonardo Fioravanti and Kanoa Igarashi also failed to advance.
Griffin Colapinto produced one of the performances of the tournament in his quarter-final win over Filipe Toledo, scoring a huge 17.10 heat total before eventually bowing out to Morgan Cibilic in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Sawyer Lindblad’s runner-up finish continued her breakthrough 2026 campaign, lifting her into the top five rankings after a difficult start to the season.
Tour Heads To El Salvador
The inaugural Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy concluded with emotional celebrations on the shores of Raglan as Moore and Ferreira dedicated their victories to their families.
From the perfect left-hand walls of Manu Bay, the Championship Tour now shifts focus to Central America for the Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona Cero, running from June 5 to 15 at Punta Roca.
With rankings tightening and momentum building, the battle for the 2026 world titles is heating up.