Carissa Moore and Leonardo Fioravanti secured major victories at the Surf City El Salvador Pro at Punta Roca, triggering significant shifts in the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour rankings. Moore earned her 30th career victory to move into the World No. 2 position, while Fioravanti claimed Italy’s first-ever CT title, catapulting him to World No. 3.
The results at Punta Roca represent a turning point for both the women’s and men’s divisions as the Championship Tour moves toward the season’s final stages. Moore’s performance solidified her standing among the sport’s all-time greats, while Fioravanti’s win broke a long-standing geographical dominance in professional surfing.
Carissa Moore Secures 30th Career Victory
Five-time World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Carissa Moore claimed the women’s title at the Surf City El Salvador Pro after a competitive final against Tyler Wright. The victory marks Moore’s 30th career win on the Championship Tour and her first successful event in Central America. The win also moves Moore to the No. 2 spot in the global rankings.
The women’s final was characterized by a high-intensity exchange between Moore and two-time World Champion Tyler Wright. The match remained undecided until the final five minutes of the heat, as both surfers traded significant rides to maintain pressure on one another. Moore’s ability to execute under pressure allowed her to edge out Wright and secure the back-to-back win streak.
“I’m literally baffled,” Moore said regarding the intensity of the competition. “When I saw Tyler in the locker room, I just said, ‘This is like the old days, this is awesome.’ It’s really cool to see the veterans make a push this year, make some Finals, and take some wins.”
Moore attributed part of her recent success to a change in her training environment, noting that her husband served as a trial coach for selected events this season. She stated that this specific arrangement “seemed to work out at this one.” Following her win in El Salvador, Moore is scheduled to compete in the VIVO Rio Pro.
Leonardo Fioravanti Claims Italy’s First CT Title
On the men’s side, Leonardo Fioravanti recorded a historic victory at Punta Roca, marking the first time an Italian surfer has won a World Surf League Championship Tour event. The 28-year-old’s win in El Salvador moved him to World No. 3 in the rankings, following a dominant performance in the final against World No. 1 Italo Ferreira.
Fioravanti’s path to the title included a difficult quarterfinal heat against Marco Mignot. After a slow start, Fioravanti regained momentum late in the heat, highlighted by a 9.00 wave score, which was the highest single score recorded during the event. This momentum carried into the final, where he opened with an 8.33 on his first wave against Ferreira, maintaining the lead for the duration of the heat.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Fioravanti said. “This sport is so hard, and I’ve dedicated the last 10 years of my life to getting this win. I’ve come close a lot of times, and it feels unreal.”
Leonardo Fioravanti of Italy after winning the Surf City El Salvador Pro. Aaron Hughes/World Surf LeagueFioravanti noted that previous near-misses, including a final at Pipeline last year, had been difficult to process. He credited his current success to a sustained belief in his ability to compete at the highest level despite previous setbacks.
Italo Ferreira Maintains Rankings Lead Despite Injury
Despite finishing as the runner-up in the men’s final, Italo Ferreira remains the leader of the Championship Tour rankings. Ferreira competed through the El Salvador event while managing a knee injury that significantly impacted his mobility in the days leading up to the competition.
Ferreira described the physical challenge of the event, noting that he experienced difficulty walking in the immediate aftermath of the injury. He attributed his ability to compete and reach the final to a sense of fate and personal resilience. While the injury required medical attention, Ferreira indicated that he expects to be fully recovered for the upcoming competition in Brazil.
Italo Ferreira managed to charge through Punta Roca despite a knee injury. Ryan MillerFerreira has now secured back-to-back appearances in CT Finals. He will head to his home waters for the VIVO Rio Pro, where he will attempt to defend his yellow leader’s jersey.
Impact on the Championship Tour Season
The results at the Surf City El Salvador Pro have reshaped the competitive landscape for the remainder of the season. The movement of Moore to No. 2 and Fioravanti to No. 3 places them in direct contention with Ferreira for the year-end title. The points gained by Fioravanti represent a significant shift in the men’s division, breaking the established hierarchy of the tour.
For the women’s division, Moore’s victory signals a resurgence of veteran dominance against a rising group of younger competitors. The points gap between the top tier and the rest of the field has narrowed, increasing the stakes for the upcoming events in South America.
Event Summary: Surf City El Salvador Pro
- Location: Punta Roca, El Salvador
- Women’s Winner: Carissa Moore (Hawaii)
- Women’s Runner-up: Tyler Wright
- Men’s Winner: Leonardo Fioravanti (Italy)
- Men’s Runner-up: Italo Ferreira (Brazil)
- Highest Wave Score: 9.00 (Leonardo Fioravanti)
The Championship Tour now moves to the VIVO Rio Pro in Brazil, where the top-ranked surfers will compete to solidify their positions heading into the season finale.
For official updates on the WSL rankings and event schedules, visit the World Surf League website. Please share this report and leave your comments below on how these results change your outlook for the season.
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