Coco Ho Wins WQS, Carissa Moore Qualifies for World Tour

With all of the media hype focused on the men’s World Tour and its last-mile sprint to a title, nary an eye noticed that the women’s WQS came to a premature finish this year with Coco Ho winning the season outright. On the heels of Ho, Australia’s Jessi Miley-Dyer and the heralded Carissa Moore finished a close second and third, respectively. With Moore’s spot on next year’s World Tour solidified, coupled with a dynamic Steph Gilmore and a rising Coco Ho, you can rest assured that the surf world will be awaiting the womens’ appearance in 2010 with baited breath.

“I’m really excited to be doing the tour next year and I’m so excited that I qualified,” said Moore when asked about her run on the ‘QS. “I didn’t feel like I had that great of a year…I didn’t go to Brazil…but I’m just really, really excited.”

Moore said she intends to finish her senior year of high school in Honolulu, where she attends Punahou, one of the most esteemed private schools in the nation and president Obama’s alma mater. But her academic intentions seemed to clash with her 2010 World Tour qualification.

“My dad and I just talked with the school, and we’re going to be able to work something out where I do the tour and finish my senior year up at the same time,” she said. “It’s gonna be a little scary, but I’m gonna get it done somehow.”

Moore’s appointment to the Big Leagues bodes well for Ho, who is a close friend since childhood. As a rookie on the World Tour, Ho made a solid showing as a full-time professional and is currently rated fifth. The Ho, Moore and Gilmore trio leaves us with a sense that there is a new guard taking hold of the women’s elite circuit.

“Well this year, we had a big break between events on the CT and there was plenty of time to do the ‘QS. I wanted to stay on the tour, so I decided to do the ‘QS too,” said Ho. “I wasn’t really trying or planning on winning the WQS, it just happened.”

“With Carissa [Moore] on tour next year, it’s gonna be great…She’s one of my best friends and I think we’re gonna have a blast next year. It’s gonna be a really exciting year. That’s for sure.”