So far, the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro has been an event to remember. From the pre-event hype to the early rounds at The Box that lived up it to it, it has been a much-needed pulse of excitement.
And as usual, Carissa Moore has had a big hand in that excitement–her round three performance was a thing of beauty. Earning a 9.10, a 9.50, and finally, a 9.73, Carissa proved once again that she’s at the top of the game right now.
Of course, Stephanie Gilmore isn’t too far off in the ratings. Sitting at number two, just after Moore, Gilmore was forced to withdraw from the event after winning the first round. During a free surf, she hit the eject button and went feet first into the sand. X-Rays revealed a fracture in her fibula. “It didn’t turn out too pretty,” she remembered. “…I thought maybe it would ease after a while, but it didn’t. It sort of got more painful.”
Gilmore’s injury has serious implications on her attempt at a seventh world title. Jordy Smith was also forced to pull out, citing a knee injury after a similar wipeout. Both surfers are hoping for quick recoveries, as the Rio Pro starts in less than a month.
Watch the Women’s highlight reel below:
